Research & Engagement Symposium

Research & Engagement Symposium

The Research & Engagement Symposium is Weber State University’s celebration of undergraduate and graduate students’ research, creative work and engaged learning that occurs through High Impact Educational Experiences. Students from every discipline share posters, performances, oral presentations, exhibits and more to the broader campus community and public.

Dates and Deadlines

  • Submissions Accepted: January 8 - March 25, 2024
  • Outstanding Award Nominations Deadline:  March 25, 2024
  • Full Schedule Available the week of April 8, 2024
  • Free Poster Printing Deadline: April 8, 2024
  • Symposium Event:  April 16, 2024  [9:00am-4pm]

Submit Abstract

 

The Outstanding Awards

Nominations will be accepted November 21 - March 25, 2024

Categories are available for undergraduate and graduate students and their mentors.

Nominate a Mentor, a Student, or a Team of Students

Awards will be be announced at the Spring Symposium.

Community Engagement Abstract Submission

The poster/presentation session is an opportunity for students to present the results of their direct service, civic engagement, and/or community research in the community.

Abstracts should include the following:

  1. Description of purpose and the implementation of the project

  2. Description of the community outcomes for the project

  3. Outcomes for the student, academically and professionally

 Undergraduate Student Abstract Guidelines by Discipline

Abstract Guidelines for Education, Humanities, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics:

  1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. 
  2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry.
  3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology.
  4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. 
  5. Include text only (no images or graphics)
  6. Be well-written and well-organized.

Abstract Guidelines for Visual Arts:

  1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. Provide an artist statement.
  2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. In the statement, cite your influences and inspirations: other established artists; movements that are referenced or serve as inspiration; political/ cultural/ social issues that the work responds to; personal events, adventures, medical diagnosis; etc.
  3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. What techniques were used?  It could be as basic as oil painting on primed canvas, or a more in-depth explanation of the experimental process.
  4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. What did you learn?  What was successful?  What are things to be addressed in future pieces?  How does this piece fit into your portfolio or future works?
  5. Include text only (no images or graphics)
  6. Be well-written and well-organized. If there are multiple areas covered with a unique influence that alters the interpretation of the work, speak more to one or two components of your “research” in depth:  was the work a response to Art History?  Or was the focus the experimental process? While it is assumed you will very briefly respond to all of these requirements, it is also expected that only a few will be the central focus of your statement.
    1. Visual Arts presenters are required to upload three examples of work. For works in progress, you may substitute images of the work being submitted with images of past works that are representative of the artwork to be exhibited at NCUR 2024.
    2. If a video or performance documentation, no sample should exceed 2 minutes.

Abstract Guidelines for Architecture:

  1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. What is it that you wish to study? This could be a building typology (i.e. the energy consumption of single family homes vs. duplex units or efficiency of one floor vs. two floor office) or it could be the evolution of a building typology, building material, building system, building technology, a place or an architectural theory.  
  2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. Describe why this research is relevant today.  What has changed, is changing, or is likely to change in the future and how might this change effect people, place, design aspirations, building technology, etc.?
  3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. How will you conduct the research (i.e. comparative, historic, evolutionary, inductive [analyze the observed phenomenon], deductive [verify an observed phenomenon], qualitative, experimental, simulation, case studies)
  4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. What do you expect the results to be or what do you expect to learn and what is likely to be the significance of your findings?
  5. Include text only (no images or graphics). We recognizae this may be difficult when you are researching a “thing” in the built environment but do your best.
  6. Be well-written and well-organized. Follow the script you have been given (#’s 1, 2, 3, & 4 above in this order).  Restate each topic and be specific in your response to each.  Use complete sentences (bullet points can be used following a statement but never alone). Read what you have written out loud to check to see if it sounds clear and concise.  Reread what you have written 24 hours later to identify typos, poor word usage, incomplete sentences, etc.  Read what have written to a friend and ask them if they can restate what you are proposing.  If you are the least bit uncertain take what you have written to the writing center.

Abstract Guidelines for Performing Arts:

  1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. A statement discussing compositional or performance aspects of the work. Why did you compose this work or choose this work to perform? What aspects of music are you exploring?
  2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. How does the composition and/or performance advance the development of your creative output?
  3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. Provide a brief description of the musical work from a compositional or performative standpoint.
  4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. How did the composition of the work or preparation for the performance affect your musical understanding and output?
  5. Include text only (no images or graphics). Include a link (box, google drive, dropbox, etc) to a recording of the work and a score of the work if required for performance.
  6. Be well-written and well-organized.

 

 Graduate Student Abstract Guidelines

Rationale/Background

  1. Summarize the nature and significance of the problem.
  2. What is currently known about the subject in the literature (from your literature review)?

Methods

  1. For your project, what did you do or create to address the gap in knowledge, leadership, or clinical practice that you identified in your workplace?
  2. Provide a formal description of the project interventions, the approach used, and how improvement/change was measured/assessed.
  3. Explain the methods employed to evaluate the completeness and accuracy of data. Use qualitative and/or quantitative methods to draw inferences from the data. Discuss ethical considerations.
  4. Describe frameworks, models, or theories used to develop the project.

Results

  1. Describe the assessment of findings and outcomes achieved by project implementation.

Conclusions

  1. Summarize the impact and future sustainability.
  2. Address potential dissemination to other contexts or implications for practice and further study emphasizing next steps for organizational policy, clinical or educational practices, and recommendations for research or future undertakings.

 

Poster Printing

  • Visit the OUR poster page for guidelines and tips on making a poster. 
  • Please send poster as pdf file.
  • Please use subject line:  Symposium Poster. 
  • Deadline for Free Poster Printing:  April 8, 2024

Download Poster Template

Presentation Details

  • Oral presentations and Performing arts presentations are limited to 12 minutes with an additional 3 minutes allotted for discussion and questions.
  • Poster presentations and Visual Arts will be scheduled for 90 minutes.

Attend the Symposium

The symposium is open to the public and WSU staff, faculty, students and their families are encouraged to attend. No tickets necessary.