Lightning Talk Presenter Information

2024 Research and Scholarship Week. Lightning Talks 2024 Theme: Significance of Research and Scholarship

Welcome to the UIC SPH Research and Scholarship Week Lightning Talks!

Are you interested in giving a Lightning Talk? Click the links below to submit a letter of intent to present and learn more about what is required for your presentation. If you are considering also participating in the Poster Competition, then your Lightning Talk can be the same research project or a different one.

Call for Student Presenters! Heading link

Important Dates Heading link

Monday, January 22, 2024 – Sign up for student presenters opens
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 – Sign up for student presenters closes
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 – Event agenda released and presentation slides due
Tuesday, April 4, 2024 – Lightning Talks

Learn about Lightning Talks Heading link

Lightning Talks will be in person, with the option for audience members to attend virtually. If you are interested in presenting, please read through the instructions below and submit an LOI.

  1. The first step for students to present at Lightning Talks is to submit an LOI (click tile above for the link). You will receive a confirmation email immediately after LOI submission. Someone from Office of Research Services will follow up prior to the event with your time slot.
  2. Presenters must use the template PowerPoint file posted on the website. Formatting may be modified except for slide size and school logo. There is limit of 10 slides or less for your presentation INCLUDING the title slide. Each presentation has a strict 7-minute talk limit – please keep that in mind as you create your slides.
  3. Slides must be submitted as PowerPoint (.pptx) files (see form above) by March 25, and the event organizers will have your slides pulled up for you at the event.
  4. You must be present in person for the full section that you are presenting in.
  5. At the end of each session, the audience will vote for an Outstanding Lightning Talk Presentation. Winners will be announced by the end of the week, and will receive a $200 award.
  6. All questions can be addressed to sph-research@uic.edu.

Outstanding Lightning Talk Criteria

A $200 prize will be awarded to the winner of “Outstanding Lightning Talk” for each section.

FAQs Heading link

  • Is the SPH Lighting Talk template a requirement for submission? The SPH Lightning Talk template is not a required format. The template is in the required slide size and has the required UIC logo on the slides. Students are encouraged to edit and optimize the provided template.
  • If the project has multiple people working on it, can the co-authors also speak during the talk, or is it only the primary author who can speak? Group presentations are allowed with the same 5–7-minute time limit.
  • Is there a limit to the number of slides allowed to each PowerPoint presentation? There is no limit on the number of slides if presentations are within the 5–7-minute time frame.
  • What happens if the presentation goes over the 5–7-minute time limit? Presentations will be cut off at the 7-minute mark to ensure all presenters receive an equal opportunity.
  • I am unable to attend the Lightning Talks. Is it possible to watch a recording of the event? The Zoom recording will be available for public access on the website once the event has concluded.