Grad SLAM Preparation Resources

2026 Workshops & Coaching

2026 Grad SLAM Information Sessions

These virtual sessions provide an overview of Grad SLAM, and tips on how to get started.

Tuesday, December 9 from 9:30 - 10:30am on Zoom
Thursday, December 11 from 2:30 - 3:30pm on Zoom

2026 Support & Coaching Sessions (Drop-in virtual sessions)

Coaching sessions are drop-in spaces for participants to work on their presentations, receive and give feedback on research talks, and build confidence as they prepare for Grad SLAM. Bring your slide!

Monday, December 15 from 1 - 2pm on Zoom
Wednesday, December 17 from 11am - 12pm on Zoom
Friday, December 19 from 2 - 3pm on Zoom

ONGOING SUPPORT AT THE WRITING HUB

Grad SLAM participants can get ongoing, individualized support from the Graduate Writing Consultants at the Writing Hub. Writing Consultants can help you think through and articulate your ideas thoughtfully. Consultants are available for 30 and 60 minute one-on-one appointments, Sunday through Friday. Make an appointment at writinghub.ucsd.edu.

Additional Resources

How to Talk like TED by Carmine Gallo, Article by Guy Kawasaki
How to Give a TED-Worthy Talk by Dorie Clark, Forbes
10 Tips on How to make Slides that Communicate your Idea, by TED Staff
10 Most Common Rookie Mistakes in Public Speaking by Terry Gault, Managing Partner and Vice President of the Henderson Group
Giving an Academic Talk by Jonathan Shewchuk, Associate Professor in Computer Science, University of California at Berkeley
Giving Oral Presentations from English Communication for Scientists by Jean-luc Doumont (ed.), Nature (2010)
Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds
Making the Most of Your Three Minutes for 3MT: The Three Minute Thesis by Simon Clews, Director, Writing Centre, University of Melbourne
10 Hints for Improving Presentations for the Three Minute Thesis Competition by Danielle Fischer, Charles Darwin University
Presentation Skills: Overcoming Stage Fright from the GradPost
Creating a Persuasive Presentation from the GradPost
Top Ten Tips for Writing and Delivering Very Brief Speeches by Bill Cole, Founder and CEO of William B. Cole Consultants

Inspiration

TED Talks: Approximately 3-minute talks on “ideas worth spreading”
PhD Comics Two-Minute Thesis: PhD Comics challenged graduate students to explain their work in two minutes – the best have been turned into videos!
3 Minute Thesis Competition Winners: Winning presentations from a multi-university thesis competition in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and the South Pacific

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