The Manchester University Student Symposium is a showcase for undergraduate and graduate student research and scholarship across disciplines. The Symposium was started by Dean Jo Young Switzer in 1999 to give students and faculty an opportunity to collaborate on research and scholarship. It continues to be one of our most significant campus events, offering high-quality presentations showcasing student work.
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 a proposal or a research abstract unless you are certain that you are available to attend the in-person conference on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
- Acceptance into the Student Symposium is based on the quality of your proposal or abstract submission.
- You can use the descriptions and rubrics below to determine what your submission type should be. Additional information is available on the Symposium guidelines document linked below.
:- Oral Presentation of Research: If you plan to present your work verbally as part of a concurrent session.
- Poster Presentation of Research: If you plan to present your work summarized in one poster during a poster presentation session.
- Video Exhibit: If you have a video that you would like to present during a concurrent session where participants can stop by, watch the video and ask questions of the production team.
- Video Game Demonstration: If you have created a game that you would like to demonstrate to students (or allow participants to play).
- Vocal or Instrumental Music Performance: If you would like to perform a vocal or instrumental piece (or two) that you have developed as part of a class or private lessons.
- Art Exhibit: If you would like to display your classroom-based art project as part of an exhibit.
- Teaching Demonstration: If you would like to present a teaching module demonstrating a specific technique or pedagogy.
- (Tentative) 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. Awards will be selected using the following rubrics:
- Keynote rubric
- Jo Young Switzer Writing Award rubric
- Poster Presentation Award rubric
- You must obtain IRB approval if you are presenting data from human subjects.
- Learn more by reviewing Symposium guidelines here (updates in progress).
IMPORTANT DATES!!
- Friday, March 31: Students submit 250-300 word proposal or abstract by 11:59 p.m., Friday, March 31.
- If the presentation is group authored, only one student need submit an abstract. See "Proposals and abstracts are important" below to review requirements and to submit your abstract. Submit an abstract (updates in progress).
- Week of April 7: Presenters receive their acceptance notification.
- Week of April 14: Auditions for the honor of keynote presenter will be held the week of April 14. Students who wish to apply for the honor of keynote presenter must audition by presenting to the Symposium Committee members.
- Wednesday, April 23: Manchester University Student Symposium, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 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 Presentation, Poster Presentation, Musical Performance (vocal or instrumental), Art Exhibit, Video Exhibit, Video Demonstration, Teaching Demonstration)
- Equipment needs for your presentation/performance.
- IRB approval if you are presenting data from human subjects
Proposals and abstracts are important
- Proposals or 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
(tentative)
8:00 a.m. Opening Address - Programs available in Academic Center Lobby
8:30 a.m. Alumni Speaker
9:10 – 10:10 p.m. Breakout Session 1, Various Rooms
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Poster Session 1, Speicher Room
11:20 – 12:20 p.m. Lunch (not included)
12:20 – 1:15 p.m. Breakout Session 2, Various Rooms
1:20 – 2:20 p.m. Poster Session 2, Speicher Room
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Keynote, Lahman Room
3:00 p.m. Closing, possible awards, and group picture
2024 - 2025 Student Symposium Committee
Dr. Jennifer Robison, Associate Professor of Biology, Chair
Dr. Dennis Brown, Professor of Pharmaceutical and Graduate Life Sciences
Dr. Katharine Ings, Professor of English
Dr. Jacob Mertens, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Dr. Jeffrey Osborne, Professor of Chemistry
Traci Garcia, Administrative Assistant representing Academic Affairs
Megan Geary, Assistant Director of Student Life
Our sincere thanks to all the people who worked to make the 2025 Manchester University Student 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.