We are pleased to offer intensive learning experiences through our conference workshop series. This year’s workshops are up to 2.5 hours in length, to be held in-person and online via Webex. Workshop descriptions and presenter information are listed below. All workshops are offered free of charge to conference registrants – be sure to enroll for this workshop when you register. The workshops will be held on Wednesday and Friday, September 23rd and 25th (see times below).
Wednesday, September 23rd (9 AM – 11:30 pm Eastern)
ETDs for Beginners.
Presented by John Hagen (USETDA), Ed Fox (Virginia Tech Computer Science Department / NDLTD), William Ingram (Virginia Tech University Libraries), Sally Evans (George Mason University Libraries), Kristin Terrill (Iowa State University Graduate College), Ruth Lu (Ohio University Graduate College), Austin McLean (ProQuest, part of Clarivate) and Emily Flynn (OhioLINK).
Abstract. Implementing electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) programs on campus can initially seem daunting, but this primer will help guide you through the process. Led by a team of experts, the free 2.5-hour “ETDs for Beginners” workshop is designed for both newcomers and veterans seeking a refresher on essential ETD concepts and resources. Attending this session will help you maximize the value of the ETD Conference.
Key Topics Covered
• Accessing free resources from the USETDA and NDLTD
• ETD implementation and political strategies
• Comparing homegrown ETD systems with pre-packaged open-source and commercial repository options
• ETD office automation strategies
• The roles of university libraries and graduate schools in program implementation and archiving
• Intellectual property considerations and ETD Lifecycle Management
• Utilizing consortia and networking approaches to build effective ETD programs
Friday, September 25th (9 AM – 11:00 pm Eastern)
The University of Toledo Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Showcase.
Presented by Yasmeen Hamdah, Program Manager, Graduate Student Success, The University of Toledo College of Graduate Studies.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition that challenges graduate students to communicate the significance of their research in three minutes or less to a non-specialist audience. Participants may use a single, static slide and must effectively engage listeners while translating complex ideas into accessible language.
The University of Toledo College of Graduate Studies proposes a 3MT® showcase that allows attendees to observe a live example of the competition and consider its implementation as a scalable professional development initiative for graduate students. In addition to highlighting transferable communication skills, the session exposes attendees to diverse graduate research projects.
The session will begin with a brief overview of the 3MT® competition, including its history, structure, and professional development benefits. Five University of Toledo graduate students will then deliver their three-minute presentations. Attendees will actively engage by selecting a People’s Choice Award winner. The session will conclude with the announcement and recognition of the selected presenter.
Keywords: Three Minute Thesis (3MT®), Co-curricular learning, Accessible research, Research communication, Public speaking, Academic presentation