MSI chalk talks are informal seminars given to Harvard students, postdocs, staff, and faculty by Harvard students, postdocs, staff, and faculty. These talks provide a venue for sharing, discussing, and productively critiquing the latest and greatest work-in-progress and evolving stories from our many microbial scientists. Generally, chalk talks are accompanied by free lunch! For spring 2022, we will be offering a grab-and-go boxed lunch (as per Harvard Guidance) to be taken after the conclusion of the talk.

Chalk Talks occur most Fridays during the semester, from noon-1pm, and are presented in a HYBRID format.

Spring 22 Chalk talks will occur on February 11, 18, & 25; March 4, 11, & 25; and April 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29.

In order to promote the sharing of unpolished works-in-progress among colleagues, chalk talks are restricted to Harvard affiliates only.
This means audience members, either in-person or virtual, are expected to be Harvard students or employees.

Any Harvard affiliate can register to attend a Chalk Talk through the Harvard College Calendar.

To attend, please register through the Harvard College Calendar, and choose whether you would like to attend in person or receive the Zoom link.

If you are having difficulty signing up using your Harvard Key, please email msi@fas.harvard.edu using your Harvard email address, and we will gladly assist. 

Due to catering headcounts, registrations for in-person attendance close at noon the day before.

To give a Chalk Talk, please fill out this form, and MSI will be in touch to confirm. We would be thrilled to hear about your research!
If you're interested in giving a talk but don't know exactly how it might work, see our suggestions for speakers.