The Graduate Student Research Competition

Introducing Laurier's inaugural Graduate Student Research Competition! This is your chance to share your important research with the world. Compete against fellow master’s and doctoral students for the chance to win prize money, improve your communication skills and expand your network! 

About the Competition

The Graduate Student Research Competition challenges research-based master’s and PhD students to present their research to a "layperson audience" in three minutes or less. To ensure the health and safety of all involved in the competition, all aspects will be completed in a remote setting. Participants will be responsible for recording their own presentation and submitting it prior to the indicated deadline. 

Filming Guidelines

To ensure your video recording is as usable and effective as possible, please follow these filming guidelines.

Workshops

Writing Services will be providing workshops to prepare participants for their presentations. These workshops will be offered remotely by Writing Consultant Ada Sharpe and require registration through the Student Success Portal. Though workshop participation is not essential, it is highly recommended.

Competition Timeline

Thursday, March 11: Competition registration opens, register here

Thursday, March 18: 12 p.m. Workshop

Friday, March 19: 1 p.m. Workshop

Monday, March 22: 11:30 a.m. Workshop

Friday, April 2: Competition registration closes

Wednesday, April 7: 12 p.m. Workshop, register by selecting "Preparing for the Research Showcase: A Workshop for Graduate Student Competitors"

Monday, April 19: Video submission opens

Monday, May 3: Video submission closes

Tuesday, May 11: Judging takes place

Wednesday, May 12: Winners announced

Prizes

First Place: $1,000
Second Place: $500
Honourable mention: $250

ELIGIBILITY

To participate in the Graduate Student Research Competition:

• You must be registered in a master's or PhD program at Laurier and working on a major research project, master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
• You may have defended but not yet graduated.
• Your presentation must be based on research that is directly related to your graduate research paper (thesis, dissertation or major research paper).
• You must agree to film your presentation and submit it by the indicated deadline.
  

RULES

• Video submissions must be a maximum of three minutes in length.
• The participant must be the only individual in the recording.

Presentations that do not follow these rules will be disqualified. 

JUDGING CRITERIA

Presentations will be judged on the basis of the following:
Communication

• Did the presenter use language and terminology that was clear and understandable?
• Was the pace of the talk effective?

• Did the talk help you to understand the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and purpose of the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the presenter clearly indicate what is interesting about the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the talk follow a logical sequence?

• Was the talk engaging?
• Did the talk inspire you to want to know more?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain your attention?