The Postdoc Research Symposium is an opportunity for UT postdocs conducting their postdoctoral research work on campus in 3 minutes using a single slide. Judges from among faculty as well as community members may or may not be in the presenter’s field or in academia at all. Presenters are judged on the basis of clarity, comprehension (how well did the audience understand the content) and engagement (how much did the presentation make the audience want to know more). UT’s Graduate School will be hosting this event on March 8, 2024. However, whether or not you intend to participate in the competition, preparing a lightning talk is a fantastic way to practice communicating your work comprehensively and engagingly in a short amount of time. You may find yourself in a position to explain your work to a potential colleague, a funder, or even a legislator. Being able to quickly help them understand the work you do and why it matters is invaluable. This discussion will provide strategies for building a lightning talk. We will discuss narrative strategies, how to narrow the focus to the important points of your work, and what makes a straightforward, easy-to-understand slide. Whether you are in humanities, social sciences, STEM, or any other field, you can find ways to explain your work to anyone.  Graduate students are welcome.  Register here.