Webb-Donnell Communication Competitions
Celebrating engineering that communicates clearly, creatively, and with impact.
At the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, we believe that great engineering doesn’t end with a brilliant design — it must be communicated in ways that people can understand, trust, and act upon.
The Webb-Donnell Communication Competitions recognize and reward engineering students who excel at translating technical knowledge for real audiences. From compelling public safety messages to creative story-driven explanations, competitors demonstrate that communication is an engineering skill — one as critical as modeling, prototyping, or data analysis.
Across two signature events, the Undergraduate Communication Competition and the Quick Talks Graduate Challenge, we highlight the next generation of engineers who can build, persuade, and explain.
Judges Needed
Help us evaluate the next generation of engineering communicators.
Judges may come from engineering, industry, science communication, media, design, or related fields. Training is provided — no prior judging experience required.
Available Competitions
UNDERGRAD | Explain It! Engineering Concept Video Competition
Short-form, vertical video. Think MrBeast meets Hank Green.
Students explain an engineering principle for non-engineers using visuals, analogies, props, or (optionally) AI-assisted media.
GRADUATE | Quick Talks Research Communications Challenge
A 5-minute public talk on real research and why it matters.
Graduate presenters share their work in a TED-style format that emphasizes clarity, relevance, and impact. Finalists present live at the spring showcase.
Why This Competition Exists
Engineers shape the world — so they must be able to explain it.
The Webb-Donnell Competitions were founded to honor two champions of communication at Georgia Tech:
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Frank K. Webb, whose support fostered communication excellence in ME, and
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Jeff Donnell, the first Webb Chair in Communication Skills.
The competitions continue their shared belief that engineers must be more than problem-solvers — they must be explainers, collaborators, and storytellers.
Frank K. Webb, ME Alum, ‘38 | Hall of Fame, ‘94
Jeff Donnell, Inaugural Frank K. Webb Chair
For more information contact Jill Fennell, Frank K. Webb Academic Professional Chair in Communication Skills, at jill.fennell@me.gatech.edu or (404) 894-7552.