Presenter Application

2024 Presenter Application Timeline

Date	Action
The deadline results in heavy website traffic; attempt to submit your application as soon as practicable. Deadlines for revisions may vary. **These Mentors must hold a faculty-rank. Approval by a graduate or postdoc is not permissible.
January 3rd	Applications Open
February 8th	Applications Due. Students must finalize their application and submit for faculty mentor review.*
New February 16th	Faculty Mentor* Review Due*. This can be a final approval or a revision request.*
New February 25th	Student Response to Mentor Review Due.
March 22nd	Applicants Receive Decisions and Suggested Revisions from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
March 22nd – April 8th	Revision Window*. If requested by the Office of Undergraduate Research Staff, you will have an opportunity to resubmit requested abstract/artist statement revisions.*
April 14th	Deadline to Confirm Participation
May 17th	2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium!

Applying

2024 Undergraduate Symposium Application

The 2024 Application is live! Click the link to start an application and explore resources below.

2024 Application

Myths & Realities for Those Considering Presenting

Reality
Most students are accepted to present at the Symposium. We know that many research conferences are exclusionary, and we have created this Symposium to provide the opportunity for all students, regardless of experience or background, to present work they are proud of and for the UW community to celebrate the work undergraduates have accomplished. The application review process serves as a chance for the Office of Undergraduate Research staff to provide feedback in order to best prepare your research for presentation.

Reality
Students from all majors present their work. We have had projects in biology, visual arts, dance, forestry, computer science, music, business, and many other disciplines. At this point, it would be hard to find a major that didn’t have student presenters! Any and all students are encouraged to apply.

Reality
Students at all stages in the research process are encouraged to present. You do not need to have final results to present your work!

Reality
Students of all class standings can present at Symposium. The more the merrier! The Symposium provides a great venue to practice communicating your research so that you feel even more confident at your next conference!

Reality
Any students engaged in undergraduate research or creative inquiry are encouraged to present at the Symposium. Students that are awarded a Mary Gates research scholarship are required to present, but we welcome and encourage all undergraduate researchers to share their research, and to build their communications skills, by presenting at the Symposium.

Application Components

Start Here

You can start an application on MySymposium (note: you can save and return to your application at any time). After answering questions about yourself, you will need to consider co-presenters, mentors, and your abstract or artist statement. Finishing, you will be able to apply for this year’s 2024 Population Health Initiative Award.

Adding Co-Presenters

For group presentations, the primary presenter should submit co-presenters’ information during the application process. Co-presenters will receive an email to verify that they are part of the group. Note that only the primary presenter may edit or submit the application.

Note: Co-presenters are expected to be present and attending on the day of Symposium. Please do not add individuals as co-presenters if they are merely co-authors or contributors that are not presenting.

Adding Mentors

You will need to enter the names and email addresses of your research mentor(s). The application requires that you submit information for your primary faculty mentor. You are welcome to include information for any additional mentors as well.

Mentors can learn more about the role they play during Symposium here.

Creating your Abstract or Artist Statement

Abstract: An abstract is a concise summary of your research that highlights major points from your project. Work with your mentor to review your abstract and title before submitting. We strongly recommend that you view the abstract writing workshop on youtube and abstract statement guidelines to help you get started. You can also view examples from previous years’ Symposiums.

Artist Statement: Those interested in the Visual Arts and Design Showcase or Performing Arts Session may submit an artist statement in lieu of an abstract. The artist statement should explain your work and may provide background, context, subject matter, purpose, theories and/or meaning of the artwork. You may view examples from last year’s showcase and check out artist statement guidelines to help guide your writing process.

Presentation Types

Students will design and print a 40- by 32-inch poster detailing their project or research. On the day of the Symposium, they will be grouped into sessions with other similar presentations and are expected to stand with their poster to talk to audience members and answer any questions they may have.

Students will create and deliver a 10-minute oral presentation and participate in a two-minute Q&A session. The oral presentation may be accompanied by a visual slideshow, handout for the audience, live demonstration, performance, and/or audience participation. On the day of the Symposium, students will be placed in a themed session with 4-6 other presenters and a faculty moderator.

Students will showcase art forms developed as part of the research process. This could include paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, architectural models, digital art, experimental media, jewelry, textiles, photography/film, mixed media, and more. Students are required to present their exhibit on the day of Symposium and submissions in this category may be displayed for up to two weeks beginning on Symposium day.

Students will create and deliver a 10-minute presentation. The presentation must include a performance-based component that was created as part of the research process such as music, theatre, or dance. This presentation may be accompanied by a slideshow component discussing the research process.

Application Support

Please feel free to utilize the following recorded workshop and information sessions:

Further, use the Abstract and Artist Statement Guidelines to help you format your submission.

Advising

The Office of Undergraduate Research also offers advising for undergraduate students pursuing research. You can view the advising page here.