Communicating one's research effectively is important. Talks and poster presentations are among the typical ways undergraduates are often asked to discuss their research. The CUR conducts periodic workshops on:

a. how to write effective abstracts

b. how to craft a good poster

c. how to give research talks

The Elevator Research Talk

But the ability to communicate one's scholarly work and contextualize it is often a struggle for many researchers, particularly scientists. Student and even professional researchers often fall prey to hiding behind jargon, spouting streams of facts or becoming so bogged down in the details of their experiments or results that they forget to mention why they are doing the work at all and how it is important. Importance is often presumed, even within specialized fields, not requiring proper motivation. 

With thoughtful preparation, however, researchers can distill their work into a few key points. Researchers can emphasize connections to the real world, tailoring their speech to the audience and use simple terms and analogies that transform an otherwise specialist, abstract discussion into an effective two-minute pitch that delivers their message. 

Guide Questions for Preparing an Elevator Research Talk

1. What is the topic of your research?
2. What is the problem, issue, or question that you are asking and addressing in your research?
3. Why is that problem interesting and important? (i.e. So what?)
4. How does your work connect with a broader disciplinary conversation about this topic/problem in your field, and what does it add to that conversation?

Resources and Examples of Elevator Research Talks

"Communication: Two minutes to impress"

"30-second Elevator Talks"

" Elevator Talk on Cancer Research"

"A non-science Elevator Research Talk"

"A math elevator Research Talk"

"An Engineering Elevator Research Talk"