We are extending the deadline for registration for the event UG Talks. An online science slam. The event is inspired by the formula of poetry slams, i.e. public competition of poet-performers and the format of TEDx scientific meetings. Among other things, UG Talks aims to popularise science among audiences outside the walls of the university.

UG Talks is a proposal addressed to students and PhD students of the University of Gdańsk, allowing them to present their research to a wider audience. The event is inspired by the formula of poetry slams, i.e. a public competition of poet-performers and the format of TEDx scientific meetings. The UG Talks science slam encourages PhD students to present their scientific topics in a way that is simple and enjoyable for the audience whose votes they are competing for. The competition combines a popular science formula of the speakers' presentations with the potential of interdisciplinary education - creating a room for debate on issues from various fields.

UG Talks aims at arousing interest in science also in the audience outside the walls of the university, offering the viewer a unique encounter with news from various fields, complemented by an attractive, performative format. For the performers, the science slam is an opportunity to show the results of their work, train their public speaking skills, make new contacts, and - if appreciated by the audience and jury - receive an award.

UG Talks is planned in the form of a cyclical competition for the best speech, evaluated in categories such as content, clarity and style of presentation, rhetorical skills of the speaker or originality of the idea. Speakers are given only 15 minutes to capture the attention of the audience and concisely present their chosen (previously submitted) topic. The use of visual presentations, props, models and other elements supporting the process of conveying the content is allowed.

For the summer term 2021, 3 iterations of UG Talks are planned (in March, April and May) and a grand finale (in June) where the winners of previous competitions will face off in a final clash for the best presentation.

The award for the best presentation of the meeting is 500 PLN to be spent on scientific purposes and for the winner of the final meeting 2000 PLN.

Due to current restrictions, UG Talks will move to the virtual world. The concept of the event (15-minute contest presentations) will not change, only its formula and range.

Listening to the suggestions coming from those willing to take part in the event, we are extending the call for entries for the first episode until March 7, 2021.

The formula is also modified - we are waiting for pre-made recordings of entire presentations, which will be played to the judges and displayed on the website as an event. Recordings (in the form of a link to GoogleDrive, WeTransfer, etc.) and application forms should be sent to ugtalks@ug.edu.pl. Presentations should be up to 15 minutes long and show slides and the speaker.

How does the Online Science Slam work?

- Speakers submit recordings of their finished presentations. We create an event during which we screen the submitted presentations.

- Each performance is limited to 15 minutes, during which the speaker presents his or her topic. The time for speaking ends at the sound of the agreed tone.

- Viewers can vote for the selected presentations during the broadcast using an online voting form. The jury makes the final decision on the winner taking into account the votes of the viewers. The winner will be announced on the ACK "Alternator" website and the event website after the transmission has ended and the votes counted.

How do I apply?

Due to the online format, the application process has been tailored to the interactive nature of the event. To apply, you will need to submit a completed application form and a short video (max. 3 minutes), outlining the topic of your talk.

The application form should be filled out on a computer and submitted in an editable .doc, .docx, or .odt format.

Recordings should be submitted as a link to Google Drive, WeTransfer or any other tool enabling the recording to be downloaded from the server.

The organisers reserve the right to select speaker candidates depending on the content of submitted topics.

We invite students and PhD students of UG (as speakers), and the whole academic community and supporters of UG as the audience. Applications may be submitted by representatives of all scientific disciplines and fields of study.

Detailed information can be found in the Terms and Conditions of the event.

Applications should be sent to ugtalks@ug.edu.pl