SFSU Grad Slam
Present your best elevator pitch
Grad Slam is SFSU’s annual spring competition celebrating the best short research presentations by graduate students. The event challenges participants to clearly and engagingly explain the significance of their research or creative work in three minutes or less.
This competition helps students strengthen public communication skills, connect with a broad audience and showcase the depth and impact of graduate scholarship at SFSU. Participants receive support through optional workshops and may be eligible to advance to regional competitions and win awards.
Why participate
- Boost the visibility of your research or creative work
- Build confidence in public speaking and communication
- Learn to clearly explain your work to non-specialist audiences
- Connect with fellow graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners
- Strengthen your résumé, CV or professional portfolio
- Compete for awards and recognition
Who may participate
- Currently enrolled SFSU master’s or doctoral students
- Students from all academic disciplines
- Individual presenters only (no team presentations)
Competition format
- Students prepare a three-minute recorded presentation explaining their research or creative activity in a clear, accessible way
- Presentations are judged on engagement, clarity, organization and effective communication
- Visual aids are permitted (e.g., slides) if they support — not overshadow — the spoken explanation
Join this year's Grad Slam
Registration for SFSU's Grad Slam opens in April.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help graduate students communicate their work clearly and compellingly to a general audience.
No, works in progress are welcome. Present what you know so far and why it matters.
Any graduate-level research, scholarly work or creative project. Students in all fields — humanities, arts, social sciences, engineering, health, science and more — are encouraged to participate.
No, presentations should be delivered in a natural, engaging style without reading verbatim.
Yes, visuals may be used if they enhance understanding and fit within the three-minute time limit.
Judges evaluate:
- Clarity of ideas
- Ability to engage a non-specialist audience
- Organization and focus
- Delivery and communication skills
Yes, optional training sessions help participants refine their public speaking and presentation skills.