Applications Due March 19, 2021

SJSU GRAD SLAM 2021

Present your research for a chance to win cash prizes, represent SJSU, and advance to regional competitions.

Announcing the Winners of SJSU Grad Slam 2021...

First Place goes to Guadalupe Franco (left), graduate student in environmental studies. Congratulations, Lupe!

Second Place goes to Remie Gail Mandawe (middle), graduate student in physiology. Congratulations, Remie!

People's Choice Award goes to Holt Hanley (right), graduate student in meteorology. Congratulations, Holt!

What is Grad Slam at SJSU?

Grad Slam at San José State University is a campus-wide competition for the best short research presentation by a graduate student. During the competition, graduate students will be judged by a panel based on their ability to successfully engage a non-specialist audience while communicating key details about their research in three minutes or less. Panelists may include SJSU staff, faculty, students, alumni, city officials, and industry professionals.

Grad Slam is designed to showcase and celebrate the wide array of excellent research and creative activity taking place at the graduate level. We are excited to receive applications from students in all fields, from arts and humanities to engineering, education, science (social, biological, health), and others. This is a premier opportunity for graduate students to present their work clearly and concisely in front of a broad audience.

What's Different about the 2021 Grad Slam?

Semifinalists will be chosen based on their applications.
Semifinalists will submit a pre-recorded presentation in a video format.
- Semifinalists will each receive a 20-minute appointment with a professional videographer, who will record your three-minute presentation over Zoom.
- During your session, you will receive multiple "takes" so that you may select the strongest recording to put forth as your Grad Slam submission.
- We will offer multiple time options so that you may select an appointment that works for you.
- Judging will not be based on the production quality of your video
Judges will be provided videos to view and score based on the rubric.
A live virtual event will showcase our winners and their videos.
The first-place winner of the SJSU Grad Slam will go on to compete in the first-ever CSU wide live Grad Slam event, being hosted by SJSU!

Important Dates - 2021

March 19: Deadline to submit Grad Slam application
March 22: Notification of student advancement to campus semi-finals
March 24-26, April 5-8: Public speaking coaching sessions for semifinalists
April 13-15: Video recording appointments via Zoom for semifinalists (with professional videographer)
April 16: Deadline for semi-finalist video submissions
Week of April 19: Judges score videos to determine finalists
April 29: Celebration of Research: A live event including viewing of Grad Slam finalist presentations and announcement of winners
May 6: Inaugural CSU Grad Slam

Why Apply?

Your participation in Grad Slam will not only advance the visibility of your research, but serve as an opportunity for you to deliver a professional presentation while representing SJSU. Grad Slam presenters develop strong communication skills that will be key to success in any career or discipline. This experience can also serve as a valuable addition to your CV or resume. Before the competition, Grad Slam participants will be given the opportunity to hone their public speaking skills by attending optional workshops. Those who participate in the SJSU Grad Slam may advance to a regional competition.

Winners will receive cash prizes in the following amounts:

First Place: $1,200
Second Place: $800
Audience Choice: $500

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Must be a matriculated student in a master’s or doctoral degree program at SJSU.
Entrants must apply as individual presenters.

We encourage students in all disciplines to apply for the Grad Slam. Whether you're building a widget, chasing fires, or unearthing discoveries in art history, we want to hear from you.

Apply Here

Competition Format and Presentation Structure

A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any kind; the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
No props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
Presentations are to be delivered in traditional presentation style.
Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.
Each presentation will be judged using the rubric here.

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