Student Symposium
The Student Symposium
is a showcase for undergraduate and graduate student research, scholarship, performance, exhibition and demonstration 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 share their work with the larger academic community, enlivening the intellectual climate on campus by stimulating discussions and facilitating collaborations within and across disciplines.
Considering Presenting at a Future Symposium? Here is 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 conference in-person.
- Acceptance into the Student Symposium is based on the quality of your proposal or abstract submission.
- You can use the descriptions and below to determine what your submission type should be.
- 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.
- Undergraduate students may elect to be considered for the honor of being the keynote presenter.
- You must obtain IRB approval if you are presenting data from human subjects.
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.
Important Dates for 2026 Presenters
- Monday, Feb 16: Students submit 250-300 word proposal or abstract by 11:59 p.m.
- If the presentation is group authored, only one student need submit a proposal/abstract. See “Proposals and abstracts are important” below to review requirements. Submit a proposal/abstract.
- Week of Feb 23: Presenters receive their acceptance notification.
- Week of March 2: Auditions for the honor of keynote presenter will be held. Students who wish to be the keynote presenter will present to the Symposium Committee members.
- Monday, March 9:ย Submit essay for the Jo Young Switzer Writing Award and poster for the Undergraduate Poster Award.
2025-2026 Student Symposium Committee
- Dr. Katharine Ings, Professor of English
- Sabrina Brown, Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
- Dr. Diane Calinski, Professor of Pharmaceutical and Graduate Life Sciences
- Darla Haines, Library Director
- Allison Keen, Clinical Instructor for Nursing
- Dr. Sam Rohr, Associate Professor of Business
- Dr. Jacob Mertens, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
- Blake Moore, Assistant Professor of Business
Our sincere thanks to all the people who work to make the 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.