Undergraduate Research Symposium

For the first time in its history, the Students' Union is organizing a university-wide undergraduate research symposium, which is set to become one of the marquee student-driven events of the year. On November 17 and 18, the Students' Union will host a collaborative and innovative symposium, to take place in Dinwoodie Lounge and the new Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences. The symposium provides an outstanding platform where undergraduate students can showcase their research and at the same time, increases undergraduate students' awareness of undergraduate research opportunities on campus. Highlighting the event is a November 18 poster competition, where students may receive financial awards for outstanding research. The event also includes a dinner and keynote speech on November 17, and panels, workshops and displays to be presented throughout various university venues on November 18.

The Students' Union is calling for abstracts from undergraduates interested in presenting during the symposium. Although the large majority of students will have the opportunity to participate in the poster competition, several students will be chosen to provide oral presentations on November 17 in Dinwoodie Lounge. Students may access the abstract form by clicking on the link below.

Online Program

Click here to view the symposium program, or click here to view a list of posters and presenters!

Key Deadlines

Students are asked to follow the deadlines listed as follows:

Wednesday November 2 at 5pm:
Abstract Submission to Students' Union Vice-President Academic

Thursday November 17 from 6-9pm:
Dinner, Keynote Address and Oral Presentations in Dinwoodie Lounge

Friday November 18 from 10am-3pm:
Poster Competition

Friday November 18 from 3:30-5:00pm:
Awards Ceremony and Closing Address

Undergraduate Research Awards

One of the symposium's highlights is the significant awards funding provided to students with superb undergraduate research projects. For the inaugural undergraduate research symposium, students may receive awards for their excellence in a variety of fields (social sciences, humanities, fine arts, natural sciences and health sciences) and specific topics (sustainability, among other themes).

Submission Form

If you wish to participate please download and complete the submission form (MS Word format) and email the completed form to vp.academic@su.ualberta.ca.

Preparing an Abstract and Poster

For students looking for tips for abstract and poster preparation, using the following guidelines from University of Alberta Libraries might be helpful: http://guides.library.ualberta.ca/undergraduateresearch

The Undergraduate Research Initiative and Students' Union are also hosting three workshops for students interested in undergraduate research and/or looking to participate in the symposium. They take place on October 21 and November 7 and 9, and can be found by going to http://www.uri.ualberta.ca/News/2011/October/URIPresents.aspx.

Additional Questions

If you have any additional questions regarding the symposium, please do not hesitate to contact the Students' Union Vice-President Academic, Emerson Csorba, at vp.academic@su.ualberta.ca