Undergraduate Soapbox

THE SOAPBOX

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough” (Albert Einstein)

What is it?

A Faculty day opportunity for undergrad students to present their research study in 3 min without using slides.

What will be available for participants?

• A flipchart with markers and a table. A microphone.
• Participants are welcome to bring along any support materials e.g. balloons, elastic bands...
• Laptops or projectors will NOT be allowed.
• If part of a team, only one person is allowed to present.

 

• Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
• Only undergraduate students are eligible for the Soapbox.

What is needed from you:

• Title of presentation;
• Name, surname, email address and cell number of presenter; 
• If applicable, names and surnames of research team;
• Department; and
• Current year of study and degree programme.

Click here to register for the Soapbox.

Please look at the guidelines for presentations below!

(adapted from https://thesisin3.com/speaker-guidelines/)

Examples:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfrUCg1S7vk
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr9yRkqYNOs
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IwZXa6GIgE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePY3uY1L0X0

1. Presentation format      

• Speakers must present the research study in 3 minutes to make their point.           

2. Your audience  

• Audience members could be anyone, so you should consider your audience to be 'the person on the street'.   
• The goal is to present your work so any person, regardless of their technical expertise can understand your work.   
• Make yours stand out, by being clear, concise, creative and perhaps humorous!

3. Some tips to presenters

• Identify the core parts of your research study that you want to discuss. Don't try and cram everything in.    
• Keep it high level. Don't go into too much detail.                
• Avoid jargon and technical terms. Remember that it should be easily understood    by the layperson.          
• Try to add some humour, and keep the content    light. Make it enjoyable  for the   audience.
• Practice. Practice. Practice. It’s the only   way to   get the  timing    right!
• Bottom line: Keep it clear, concise and coherent  

 

 

Clarity          

• Understanding (could you tell somebody else what the presenter's research is about)          
• Delivery (how clear was the language and tone that the presenter used) and was it done in 3 min?
• No esoteric language OR esoteric terms are (briefly) explained

Context

• Applicability to real   life (did  they tell us how their research study impacts everyday life)
• What “problem” is being solved and for whom?
• How big is the “problem”?
• What did they do or what will they be doing to solve the “problem”?  

Creativity and Charisma

• Memorable (will you remember   that specific speaker's talk, after all pitches are finished)
• Stage presence  and audience engagement

https://www.up.ac.za/faculty-of-health-sciences-research/article/2496586/turf