What is Grad Slam?
The SJSU Grad Slam, also known as a three-minute thesis competition, is an exciting and fast-paced event where graduate students present their research in 3 minutes and with one slide to a non-specialist audience. The students compete in front of a live audience and a panel of judges, and are scored on their ability to communicate their work and its impact effectively. This is not a research competition, it is a research communication competition.
Why is it important?
In addition to being an outstanding way to highlight SJSU’s faculty-mentored graduate student research, Grad Slam is a transformative professional development experience for graduate students. As participants in the SJSU Grad Slam, graduate students attend a series of workshops to develop their presentation skills. The extensive preparation that they do over the semester culminates in a live, on-stage presentation, so every participant has the experience of performing in the “limelight”. The two resulting skills: the ability to speak well in public and the ability to succinctly summarize one's work without jargon, are both great assets in nearly every career.
Is Grad Slam just for scientists and engineers?
Certainly not! SJSU encourages Grad Slam participation from graduate students engaged in research, scholarship, or creative activity in any discipline. For example, in the 2022 Grad Slam, our finalists included a poet, a music historian, an educational counselor, a public health student, two urban planners, a meteorologist, and three students in computer science or engineering disciplines.
Do SJSU Grad Slam winners go on to other competitions?
Yes. The first place winner of the SJSU Grad Slam is invited to represent SJSU at the Western Association of Graduate Schools 3MT competition, and the winner of that regional event goes on to the national finals sponsored by the Council of Graduate Schools. In addition, the top two winners of the SJSU Grad Slam are invited to participate in the California State University-wide competition in which representatives from the 23 CSU campuses compete for state bragging rights.
How can I help with this amazing event?
You can help by simply engaging. Whether you attend the event as an audience member, or participate as a judge, or help mentor a student, or encourage your company to sponsor a prize, your participation can make a big difference. And if you have the ability to help financially, a donation to our Grad Slam fund can help us keep the program going for years to come.
