Radford and Radford University Carilion students interested in participating should complete the Research Blitz application online by February 19, 2025.
On April 2, 2025, OURS and the Office of Graduate Affairs will host the second annual Highlander Research Blitz Competition for students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs through Radford University (main campus, RUC, RHEC, SVHEC).
Contestants will have three minutes to describe their original mentored research or creative inquiry. Aided by a single image or graphic on a PowerPoint slide, participants compete to see who can best communicate their work and its significance to a non-specialist (layperson) audience.
Radford undergraduate and graduate students (main campus, RUC, RHEC, SVHEC) are eligible to participate in the Highlander Research Blitz competition if they are doing at least one of the following:
Students can present research, projects, and capstone experiences that are at any stage of development (e.g., planning and development, mid-project, or final stages). Additionally, participants must be in good academic standing with the university at the time of the competition.
Radford and Radford University Carilion students interested in participating should complete the Research Blitz application online by February 19, 2025.
Audition Video
To be considered for the event, competitors will submit a three-minute pre-recorded
video presentation as a part of the application process. Submissions will be evaluated
based on the delivery and communication of the content and not the quality of the
video (Videos can be filmed using phones, webcams, etc). Audition videos will not
be shown during the competition itself and are not part of the final judging process.
All application materials, including the audition video, must be submitted to Qualtrics
by February 19, 2025.
Application videos must meet the following criteria:
OURS recommends filming in zoom or using a conference room on campus to display the visual and filming with a cell phone or equivalent device. Click here for the link to the application!
Applications will be reviewed by committee, and applicants invited to participate in the in-person, live competition as finalists will be notified by February 26th, 2025. To be eligible for awards, finalists must present a final, polished version of their presentation on April 2, 2025 in Russel Hall 125 from 5 to 7:30 pm.
Students participating in the Research Blitz Competition agree to abide by these common set of rules:
The 2025 Highlander Research Blitz Competition at Radford will be conducted as an in-person event in Russell Hall 125 on April 2, 2025, starting at 5 pm. All participants will present for no longer than 3 minutes to qualify for judging consideration.
Highlander Research Blitz speakers and their presentations will be evaluated based on the criteria below. Please note that the decision of the judges and audience is final.
A panel of alumni, university supporters, and community members will award prizes for first, second, and third place in both the undergraduate and graduate categories during the event on April 2, 2025.
The Office of Graduate Affairs and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS) are committed to facilitating an inclusive event. If you are a person with a disability who anticipates needing accommodations to participate meaningfully in the competition, please contact OURS at 540-831-5537, ours@radford.edu, or visit the office in Whitt 118 and the Office of Graduate Affairs at (540)-831-5724, gradaffairs@radford.edu, or visit the office in Whitt 108.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact OURS at 540-831-5537, ours@radford.edu, or visit the office in Whitt 118 and the Office of Graduate Affairs at (540)-831-5724, gradaffairs@radford.edu, or visit the office in Whitt 108.