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Highlander Research Blitz

What's the Highlander Research Blitz? 
The Highlander Research Blitz is a competition for graduate and undergraduate students to present their mentored research or creative inquiry to a general audience. It is hosted by the Office of Graduate Affairs (OGA) and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS). Students have 3 minutes and 1 PowerPoint slide to convey the relevance and impact of their research to the audience. Prizes are awarded to the top graduate and undergraduate presenters!

Event Details: 
Date: April 1, 2026
Location: TBA
Time: 5-7:30 p.m.

Awards:
Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Prizes include certificates, trophies, and cash prizes (first place $750, second place $550, third place $350).

Who Can Apply?
Radford graduate or undergraduate students (main campus, RUC, RHEC, SVHEC) in good standing with the university who have faculty-mentored research or creative inquiry — at any stage — are eligible to apply.

How to Apply:
Complete the online application and submit a 3-minute audition video via the button below by February 20, 2026.

Submit your application for the 2026 Highlander Research Blitz Competition

Video Tips:

  • Film horizontally on a plain background
  • Use a static shot (no panning or zooming)
  • Include your single PowerPoint slide
  • Upload to YouTube, Vimeo, or another sharable link
  • Camera quality doesn’t matter—focus on clarity and communication!
  • Need a quiet place to record? OURS recommends using Zoom or a campus conference room.

Selection & Final Event
Finalists will be notified by February 27, 2026. If selected, you'll present live at the April 1st competition to a panel of judges composed of faculty, alums, and community members.

Competition Rules for Graduate Students

  • 3-minute max presentation
  • No note cards or props (unless pre-approved by OGA by March 27)
  • Slide must be static—no animations, sound, or video
  • Speaking starts the timer (not your title slide)  

Judging Criteria

  1. Clarity of Research Question: Is the research question clear, well-defined, and compelling? Can the audience immediately grasp the central focus of the study?
  2. Relevance: Does the presenter effectively draw connections between the research and the audience's experiences, interests, or professional needs, keeping them actively engaged?
  3. Research Impact: Does the presenter clearly and compellingly convey their research results’ significance, connecting findings to broader implications with insight and clarity?
  4. Overall Presentation Skills: Is the presenter confident, poised, and engaging? Do they use strong eye contact, clear voice delivery, and effective body language to help maintain audience attention?

Need Accommodations?
 We’re committed to accessibility! Contact OGA (Whitt 108) or OURS (Whitt 118)  for support:
 Office of Graduate Affairs: gradaffairs@radford.edu or 540-831-5724
 OURS: ours@radford.edu or 540-831-5537

 

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