How did we revamp Grad Slam this year?

This year, we are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Grad Slam and the showcase has gotten a revamp. There are four main changes:

1. Each preliminary round featured students from a particular disciplinary grouping. The winners from those rounds are here today to showcase the diversity of research done at UCSB.
2. There are no longer any restrictions on the number and content of slides that presenters may use. However, the slides must be original to the student and cannot be generated by a professional.
3. We have expanded our judging panels to include graduate and undergraduate students, as well as more members from our Santa Barbara community.
4. We have simplified our scoring criteria and presenters are now evaluated on four elements: accessibility, organization, delivery, and engagement.

One thing remains the same: each talk has a 3-minute time limit, and students will rapidly lose points if they exceed the 3-minute mark.

Our preliminary round winners have already received $1000 for coming in first in their disciplinary round. Today, they will vie for additional prize money: $2000 for 1st place, $1000 for two runners up, and $500 for People’s Choice. Plus, our campus champion will go on to represent UCSB in the UC-wide Grad Slam competition, which will be happening on Friday, May 5, in San Francisco.

Each of UC’s 10 campuses holds local Grad Slam contests; the first place winners of each of those will square off May 5, 2023 for the systemwide title, and their share of prize money. The 2023 contest will be emceed by UC President Michael Drake at LinkedIn’s headquarters in San Francisco. You can also tune in right here to watch the livestream on May 5 to join the action.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges representing industry, media, government and higher education. Viewers will also get a chance to vote for their favorite; the winner will receive the audience choice award. Mark your calendars for the UC Grad Slam and don't forget to vote for our UCSB Champion for the audience choice award!