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.
     
Submission deadline:  16 August 2019
  • 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!

Speaker Guidelines

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

Examples:

  1. Presentation format
  • Speakers must present the research study in 3 minutes to make their point.
  1. 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!
  1. 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
 
The judges will be marking you on: Clarity, Context and Creativity/Charisma

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