CSDE is excited to welcome you to the Autumn 2024 quarter! I’m Desiree Salais, a CSDE Trainee and Sociology PhD student. This quarter, I’m also the organizer of CSDE’s Winter 2024 Lightning Talks and Poster Session. Applications are currently open for graduate students to present their research and receive feedback at this event, and we would love to receive your submission! This is an excellent, low-stakes opportunity to practice your presentation skills, grow your network, and prepare for upcoming conferences.

What is the purpose of the session?

This session is a unique opportunity to make new connections with faculty and students working in your area, and to improve your presentation and poster-making skills in advance of larger conferences. Many professional organizations and their associated conferences include space on their programs for posters or lightning talks (sometimes known as flash talks). This session is a great opportunity for:

• Preparing a poster presentation for an end-of-the-quarter requirement for a class;
• Preparing to present work at a conference;
• Receiving feedback on a new research idea.

Faculty attending the poster sessions find it to be one of the most rewarding experiences because it gives them an opportunity to meet students and talk about research. If you are selected, CSDE will work with CSSCR to get your poster printed for you (no fees, no hassle – you just have to send your poster and slides to me by the date below).

What will the session look like?

As of this moment, the lightning talks are scheduled to take place in person (i.e. there will be no hybrid/Zoom option this quarter). The session will be split into two sections: the Lightning Talks and the Poster Session.

Each participant will prepare 2 PowerPoint slides and one poster PDF to submit should they be selected. The 2 PowerPoint slides will be high-level summaries for the lightning talk portion, and the poster PDF will be a separate file so we can have it printed for you. Two previous winning posters are attached to this email for reference.

Each presenter will have 2-3 minutes for their lighting talk presentation, followed by each presenter being available at their poster while attendees circulate and engage with the posters’ content. There will also be refreshments available to fuel conversation!

Will there be judges?

Yes, there will be a faculty panel that will give all participants feedback on their slides and presentation and determine a winner. CSDE will recognize the best poster with an award and prize. Posters will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Relevance to demographic research or population health;
• Innovative aspects of the research project;
• Quality and appropriateness of research design and methodology;
• Effectiveness in communicating key aspects of the project;
• Overall design and quality of visuals, images and/or tables.

Is my research a fit for the CSDE Trainee lightning talks?

How do I apply to participate?

To apply, you only need to submit a brief abstract and information about yourself and your collaborators on the project. Submit your application HERE. We will select up to 7 participants.

Dates and deadlines:

COB Friday, November 1st: Deadline to Submit an Abstract

By COB Friday, November 15th: Presenters Announced/Notified

COB Monday, December 2nd: deadline to email presentation slides to Desiree Salais (salaisd@uw.edu)

Friday, December 6th: CSDE Lightning Talks and Poster Session from 12:30-1:30pm, Allen Library Research Commons Green Room A.

TL;DR: Calling all graduate students to submit abstracts for the Autumn 2024 CSDE Lightning Talks and Poster Session! Submit a brief abstract and information about yourself and your collaborators here by COB Friday, November 1st.