Events

Clark Hall, Brown Library Classroom 133
R seminars are offered every Spring semester. This series is developed through collaboration with UVA Library's Research Data Services Group. Seminars are scheduled to meet weekly through lecturing, hands-on exercises, and discussions to help participants become familiar and comfortable in using R for research activities and working with data. Upon successful completion of this series, PhD students are eligible for a non-credit credential (PhDP 9520) in their academic transcript.  The R series will begin run from February 21st through April 3rd from 2-4 pm in Clark Hall, Brown Library Classroom, Room 133. *Note —The R series will not be held the week of spring break (March 4th-8th).      To register, please fill out this form. Please note, space in this series is limited to the first 25 students who register.
Hybrid - New Cabell Hall, Language Commons (Suite 298); Register for Zoom Link
PhD Plus is excited to co-host a series of Research Presentation Workshops over the coming months in collaboration with the planning committees for the Diversifying Research Scholarship Conference, Graduate Biosciences Research Symposium, Hunter Research Student Conference (HRSC), Huskey Exhibition, and UVA Engineering Research Symposium (UVERS). This series is designed to support all graduate and undergraduate students who are planning to present at both on- and off-Grounds conferences in 2024, and includes sessions centered on 1) drafting abstracts for symposiums/conferences, 2) designing engaging presentations and posters, and 3) improving students’ oral and poster presentation skills. The second session, “How to Create an Engaging Oral Presentation," will take place from 3:00-4:30 pm on Friday, February 23, in the New Cabell Hall, Language Commons (Suite 298). This 1.5-hour workshop will highlight ways you can intrigue your audience by presenting your research in a way that is both understandable and memorable. Members of the PhD Plus team will share tips on how to design your slides to complement your presentation style—enabling you to deliver a polished and professional research presentation.   LOCATION DETAILS We encourage you to join us in person in the New Cabell Hall, Language Commons (Suite 298), which is located on the 2nd floor nearest Rouss and Robertson Hall. There are elevators at either end of the building. Please look for the PhD Plus banner when you arrive, and note that the room we using is the larger room to the left of The Alcove, which shares the same room number.   REGISTER HERE   RELATED EVENTS The third and final session in this series, “How to Design an Effective Research Poster” will take place at 3:00 PM on Friday, March 1, in Thornton Hall, Rodman Room A238 (Engineering School). Click here to learn more. If you missed the first session of this series, "Strategies for Drafting a Compelling Conference Abstract: Recommendations, Tips, and How to Make it Resonate with the Program Committee," email Sam Lake (vvg6xs@virginia.edu) to receive a link to the recordings and workshop resources.
In Person (Register for location)
Do you dream of seeing your byline in the New York Review of Books or The Atlantic? Or maybe your thoughts on what medieval France can tell us about Taylor Swift can’t be confined by the boundaries of an academic article or short op-ed. Even if you’re simply curious about the inner workings of the essays you see compiled on Longreads, join us for this introduction to the world of longform essay writing.  In this one-day workshop, Jess Swoboda, PhD, will help us map the different genres and outlets for longform essays, discuss the shape and structure of this kind of writing compared to academic writing, and walk us through how to write an effective pitch. You’ll then get a chance to discuss your ideas with others during a working lunch, catered by Roots. Space may be limited, so register now to hold your spot! REGISTER HERE This event will be tailored for PhD students in the humanities, but all are welcome.  Jess Swoboda is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at UVA, where she received her PhD in English in May 2023. She is also a contributing editor at The Point magazine, where she has edited the interview series Criticism in Public, cohosts the podcast Selected Essays, and manages their Program for Public Thinking. Her writing has appeared or is forthcoming in The Point, ASAP/J, Commonweal, Textual Practice, and Contemporary Literature.  
Hybrid - Thornton Hall, Rodman Room A238 (Engineering School); Register for Zoom Link
PhD Plus is excited to co-host a series of Research Presentation Workshops over the coming months in collaboration with the planning committees for the Diversifying Research Scholarship Conference, Graduate Biosciences Research Symposium, Hunter Research Student Conference (HRSC), Huskey Exhibition, and UVA Engineering Research Symposium (UVERS). This series is designed to support all graduate and undergraduate students who are planning to present at both on- and off-Grounds conferences in 2024, and includes sessions centered on 1) drafting abstracts for symposiums/conferences, 2) designing engaging presentations and posters, and 3) improving students’ oral and poster presentation skills. The final session, “How to Design an Effective Research Poster,” will be hosted in collaboration with the Center for Engineering Career Development and take place from 3:00-4:30 pm on Friday, March 1, in Thornton Hall, Rodman Room A238 (Engineering School). This 1.5-hour workshop will highlight how you can design a poster to connect with your audience and more effectively communicate your research. This interactive workshop will help you reflect on what you want to share with your audience and how to design a poster that includes the essential information for your poster presentation.   REGISTER HERE   If you missed the first two sessions of this series, email Sam Lake (vvg6xs@virginia.edu) to receive a link to the recordings and workshop resources.
Alumni Hall
Join us for the 2024 Grad Thesis SLAM final competition, taking place April 16 at Alumni Hall! The Grad Thesis SLAM (GTS) is an academic competition that challenges doctoral students to describe their dissertation research within three minutes to a general audience. GTS celebrates the discoveries made by PhD students and encourages them to communicate the importance of their research to the broader community.  This event is free and open to the public.  
In Person (Register for location)
Practice Your Presentation & Receive Peer Feedback | March 22, 3:00-4:30 pm 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 March 21 from 3:00-4:30 pm). 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.   Interested PhD students can learn more by visiting: https://phdplus.virginia.edu/2024-grad-thesis-slam Registration will open soon  
Zoom (Register for link)
Slide Design & Presentation Skills | March 14, 3:00-4:30 pm (virtual) 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/2024-grad-thesis-slam Register Here  
Zoom (Register for link)
Engaging Your Audience & Telling a Compelling Story | February 29, 3:00-4:30 pm (virtual) 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/2024-grad-thesis-slam Register Here  
In Person (Register for location)
Practice Your Presentation & Receive Peer Feedback | Mar. 21, 3:00-4:30 pm 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 March 22 from 3:00-4:30 pm). 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.   Interested PhD students can learn more by visiting: https://phdplus.virginia.edu/2024-grad-thesis-slam Register Here  
Zoom (Register for link)
What is the Grad Thesis SLAM & How Do I Get Started? | Feb. 15, 3:00-4:00 pm (virtual) 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 60-minute workshop will provide an overview of the competition rules and expectations, including time for you to ask any questions you might have about participating. We’ll go over judging criteria (same for both rounds) and event structure (preliminary and final), break down some examples of previous winning presentations, and give you practical steps to get started preparing your talk. After participating, attendees will know more about their audience, understand the presentation format and requirements, and have a timeline for developing their talk. Interested PhD students can learn more by visiting: https://phdplus.virginia.edu/2024-grad-thesis-slam Register Here