26th Annual Student Research Symposium
Friday, April 26, 2024, 4:30 - 7 p.m.
The Manchester University Student Research Symposium is a showcase for undergraduate and graduate research across disciplines. The Symposium was started by Dean Jo Young Switzer in 1999 to give students and faculty an opportunity to collaborate on
research. It continues to be one of our most significant campus events, offering high-quality presentations.
Students at this year’s Symposium will share their work with the larger academic community, enlivening the intellectual climate on campus by stimulating discussions and facilitating collaborations within and across disciplines.
What you need to know
- This is a professional conference. Do not submit an abstract unless you are certain that you are available to attend the in-person conference on Friday, April 26, 2024.
- Acceptance into the Student Research Symposium is based on the quality of your abstract submission. Abstract submissions and awards will be selected based on the rubrics below:
- Undergraduate students may elect to be considered for three awards: the honor of being the keynote presenter, a poster presentation award, and the Jo Young Switzer Writing Award.
- You must obtain IRB approval if you are presenting data from human subjects.
- Learn more by reviewing Symposium guidelines here.
IMPORTANT DATES!!
- Friday, March 1: Students submit 250-300 word abstracts by 11:59 p.m., Friday, March 1.
- If the presentation is group authored, only one student need submit an abstract. See "Abstracts are important" below to review requirements
and to submit your abstract. Submit an abstract.
- Week of March 11: Presenters receive their acceptance notification.
- Week of April 1: Auditions for the honor of keynote presenter will be held the week of April 1. Students who wish to apply for the honor of keynote presenter must audition by presenting to the Symposium Committee
members.
- Monday, April 1: Applicants for the poster award must submit a PDF of their poster by 11:59 p.m.
- Monday, April 1: Applicants for the Jo Young Switzer Writing Award submit a Word or PDF document of their full paper. If applicants for the poster award are also submitting a paper, they must submit their poster and paper separately. Submit a poster and/or paper (if applying for an award).
- Friday, April 26: Manchester University Student Research Symposium, 3 - 7 p.m.
Preparation for submitting a proposal
Student Presenters, you'll need to include the following:
- Student IRB application materials must be reviewed and approved by a faculty member before submission.
- The title of your presentation and a brief (200-300 word) abstract of your presentation
- Usernames and email addresses of your co-presenters
- The name and email address of your faculty mentor
- Your preference for presentation format (Oral or Poster Presentation)
- The list of awards/honor for which you would like to be considered
- IRB approval if you are presenting data from human subjects
Abstracts are important
- Abstracts should be a one-paragraph statement of the presentation topic or problem. It should include:
- Statement of topic or purpose
- Scholarly approach/methods/argument (as applicable by discipline)
- Results and/or conclusions
- For oral presentations, remember that you will have approximately 15 minutes to present your research. If you are reading from an essay, it should be a maximum of 12 pages, so that you do not have to rush through your presentation.
Master Itinerary
Academic Center
3:30 p.m. Programs available in Academic Center Lobby
3:30 p.m. Rooms open for oral presentations
3:55 – 4:15 p.m. Oral Presentations, Various Rooms
4:20 – 4:40 p.m. Oral Presentations, Various Rooms
Jo Young Switzer Center
4:45 to 5:55 p.m. Poster presentations and refreshments, Speicher Room
6 – 6:30 p.m. Student Keynote Presentation, Lahman Room
6:30 – 6:50 p.m. Presentation of awards
7 p.m. Group picture
2023 - 2024 Student Research Symposium Committee
Dr. Jennifer Robison, Assistant Professor of Biology, Chair
Dr. Dennis Brown, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr. Marcie Coulter-Kern, Professor of Psychology
David McGrady, Assistant Professor of Accounting and Finance
Dr. Katharine Ings, Professor of English
Traci Garcia, representing Academic Affairs
Our sincere thanks to all the people who worked to make the 2024 Manchester University Student Research Symposium a success. Special thanks to our student conveners, faculty evaluators, faculty mentors and Sodexo catering. We recognize and appreciate your dedication to the students of Manchester University.