Events

The UVA Grad Thesis SLAM provides doctoral candidates (or equivalent) from all disciplines an opportunity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience. This is a modified version of Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, to make it inclusive for all disciplines. In this session you’ll learn how to craft and deliver a polished presentation. You’re allowed to use just 1 slide in your presentation, so we’ll talk about how to use that space efficiently and effectively. You’ll also get tips and tools to overcome common presentation fears and foibles.   Interested PhD students can learn more by visiting: https://phdplus.virginia.edu/grad-thesis-slam  

The UVA Grad Thesis SLAM provides doctoral candidates (or equivalent) from all disciplines an opportunity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience. This is a modified version of Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, to make it inclusive for all disciplines.This is one of two sessions taking place in person (the other is on the afternoon of March 19). Please choose the session that works best for your schedule. You’ll get a chance to practice your presentation in a supportive setting, and will get and give supportive and constructive feedback in a small group of your peers. SIGN UP TODAYPhD Plus will host two Practice Sessions on March 19  and March 20. Sessions will take place each day from 12:00 - 1:45 PM and 3:00 - 4:45 PM. Space may be limited—participants can sign up for the session that works best for their schedules by visiting: bit.ly/2025-UVA-GTS-Practice Interested PhD students can learn more by visiting: https://phdplus.virginia.edu/grad-thesis-slam 

The UVA Grad Thesis SLAM provides doctoral candidates (or equivalent) from all disciplines an opportunity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience. This is a modified version of Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, to make it inclusive for all disciplines.In the Grad Thesis SLAM, your goal is to intrigue your audience and explain your research in a way that is both understandable and memorable. This is challenging for many reasons, and in this 90-minute virtual workshop you’ll learn how to use your 3 minutes to do all this and more.  Interested PhD students can learn more by visiting: https://phdplus.virginia.edu/grad-thesis-slam 

Instructor: Alexa JeffressAll leaders and managers have a preferred style, ranging from delegative to authoritarian. The session will help participants identify their go-to leadership style and learn to adapt their leadership to the demands of different situations. After this session, participants will know how to be more intentional about authentically adapting their leadership style to their audience and the problems they are trying to solve.   Before class, please work on your leadership development plan and come ready to share some highlights in five minutes.

Instructor: Pete RonayneWe live in the midst of a quiet but powerful revolution: what one observer has called the emerging “neuro-society.” A staggering amount of information and knowledge about the brain has emerged over the past decade, with widespread implications for leaders charged with creating high performing teams, entrepreneurism, and agile organizational cultures. This focused exploration of the brain examines how teams can harness the power of neuroplasticity, cognitive fitness, understanding employees’ brains at work, and the brain/mind connection to empower individual and team peak performance.   

Instructor: Alexa JeffressThis session is designed to increase the understanding of cooperative and collaborative processes and ways they are strengthened. Participants learn to address typically troublesome situations. Each participant is led through a process of organizational awareness and understanding their own personal disruptive triggers and develop a plan for experimenting with alternative conflict management styles. Participants complete a conflict style assessment to determine their most and least used conflict styles. In the second half of this session, participants engage with key frameworks for having challenging conversations with colleagues, clients, and more.Before the session, please read: Knight, Rebecca. “How to Have Difficult Conversations at Work.” Harvard Business Review, 9 Jan. 2015,

Instructor: Lesa HanlinEnhancing influence and its impact is an ongoing and necessary aspiration for leaders at any level. Influence awareness and agility grow even greater in importance as the need for strategic influence and influencing at scale increases. In contemporary organizations, effective influence requires engagement, persuasion, higher level thinking, inspiration, and connection. This session enhances leaders’ understanding of influence (with or without formal authority) explores connection and influence, and provides opportunities to practice and apply an enhanced influence mindset and toolset. 

Instructor: Laura DuckworthThis interactive course will immerse participants in a real-world organizational challenge to create a plan that motivates teams, navigates change, and drives successful outcomes.

February 5, 2025 - 9:00amNew Cabell Hall 23602/04/2025 - 1:00pm - 02/05/2025 - 12:00pm LocationNew Cabell Hall Room 236Career Design BootcampEngage in self & career exploration. Identify your core values and interests, explore diverse careers pathways, and learn to leverage professional development strategies to find a career path that fits you. Date: Tuesday, February 4th , 1-4pm Wednesday, February 5th, 9am-12pmLocation: New Cabell Hall, Room 236REGISTER HERE

02/04/2025 - 1:00pm - 02/05/2025 - 12:00pm LocationNew Cabell Hall Room 236 Career Design BootcampEngage in self & career exploration. Identify your core values and interests, explore diverse careers pathways, and learn to leverage professional development strategies to find a career path that fits you. Date: Tuesday, February 4th , 1-4pm Wednesday, February 5th, 9am-12pmLocation: New Cabell Hall, Room 236REGISTER HERE