Mapping marine debris in the Puget Sound. Tracking disparities in air pollution and asthma. Analyzing the effects of dance on mental wellbeing. Predicting future wildfire behavior based on previous burns. Studying the presence of fire hydrants in Seattle through photographs and interviews.
That’s just a taste of what you can expect from the University of Washington’s 29th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.
In its largest iteration yet, this year’s Symposium will feature more than 1,700 students from all three UW campuses and other local institutions. The day-long celebration will begin at 11 a.m. on May 15 with presentations held across campus. The event is an opportunity for undergraduate students to celebrate their work and get experience presenting research to their peers, faculty, mentors, family, friends and the community.
29th Undergraduate Research Symposium
When: 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on May 15, 2026
Where: Mary Gates Hall, the Nanoengineering and Sciences Building, the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering, the Meany Hall Studio Theatre, and the Allen Library Research Commons
Who: Learn more about presenters here
More info: Symposium website
“The Undergraduate Research Symposium is a turning point for many students,” said Sophie Pierszalowski, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “It’s a moment when the student gets to demonstrate their content expertise and becomes our teacher. There’s a huge amount of growth and confidence building that happens in these presentation spaces.”
This year marks the University’s 29th Symposium. It will feature poster and oral presentations, dance and music performances, and visual arts and design sessions.
“We are inspired by the extraordinary research being carried out by students across campuses and disciplines,” said Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of undergraduate affairs. “The Symposium highlights the transformative impact of research on students’ academic and personal growth and reminds us that our students are engaging the world’s most pressing challenges with curiosity, creativity and purpose.”
More than 100 disciplines will be represented at the event — from engineering to mathematics to social sciences to performance to visual arts. Anyone interested can attend the presentations, which will take place at Mary Gates Hall, the Nanoengineering and Sciences Building, the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering, the Meany Hall Studio Theatre, and the Allen Library Research Commons.
“As a public research institution, we have a commitment to serve the people of Washington and beyond,” Pierszalowski said. “Students will have the opportunity to understand and experience that responsibility at the Symposium.”
Some presentation titles include “When Pain Crosses Languages: Comparing English, French, and Japanese”; “The Representation of Black Grandmothers in African American Literature”; “The Effect of Sleep Routines and Leisure Activities on Stress”; “Exploring the Freedom of Graphically Notated Music: A Performance-Based Project”; “Leveraging machine learning to assist clinicians with pediatric hearing diagnosis”; and more. You can view the entire list of presentations and create your own schedule here.
Registering to attend the Symposium ahead of time is recommended but not required. For more information, including a schedule of presentations, visit symposium.uw.edu.