2021 Student Research Conference

34th Annual Undergraduate and 19th Annual Graduate Research Conference

A Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Achievement

Call for Abstracts

Abstract Deadline: March 16 at 5:00 pm CST

Truman’s 2021 Student Research Conference will be held as a hybrid conference on Thursday, April 22. Asynchronous virtual oral, poster, performance art, and studio art presentations and a limited number of face-to-face oral presentations will be facilitated. Undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines are invited and encouraged to present their scholarly or creative work.

Presentation Types

Presentations will be grouped into disciplinary and interdisciplinary sessions based on the overall distribution of abstracts submitted. Authors select the scholarly area and the presentation type that is most appropriate for their project. The presentation options are listed below.

We will do our best to accommodate as many face-to-face oral presentations as possible; however, due to social distancing requirements, the number of abstracts accepted for face-to-face oral presentations will be limited. In the event that there is a high demand for face-to-face oral presentations, some may be converted to asynchronous virtual oral presentations. Please note that faculty mentor acceptance of an abstract does not guarantee that it can be facilitated as a face-to-face presentation. Students will be notified if their submission is converted to an asynchronous virtual oral presentation.

Oral presentations are scheduled for 15 minutes each including time for questions. A computer and projector will be available in each session room. Presenters who wish to deliver computer-based presentations should use software packages that are standardly available on campus computers. Presenters should indicate on their online submission form if additional audio-visual equipment is needed. A moderator will be present in each room to help you upload your presentation and keep on track with time while presenting.

Asynchronous virtual oral presentations will be allotted a maximum time of 10 minutes. If you have accompanying slides or materials, these should be shared by recording your screen. If you are able, we would also appreciate seeing a video of you while presenting. Presentations should be posted to the virtual conference platform (to be announced) by Thursday, April 15.

Asynchronous virtual poster presentations will be allotted a maximum time of 10 minutes. The poster should be shared by recording your screen and include a voice over explanation of the poster. If you are able, we would also appreciate seeing a video of you while presenting. Presentations should be posted to the virtual conference platform (to be announced) by Thursday, April 15.

Performance art presentations are examples of theatrical or musical performances, or a combination of the two. Asynchronous virtual performances will be allotted a maximum time of 10 minutes. The performance should be recorded and include a brief explanation of the piece. If you are able, we would also appreciate seeing a video of you while presenting. Presentations should be posted to the virtual conference platform (to be announced) by Thursday, April 15.

Studio art exhibits are examples of creative work from the fields of painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, fibers, or visual communications. Asynchronous virtual art exhibits will be allotted a maximum time of 10 minutes. The presentation should include video or image of the piece with a verbal explanation of it. If you are able, we would also appreciate seeing a video of you while presenting. Presentations should be posted to the virtual conference platform (to be announced) by Thursday, April 15.

A limited number of round table discussions and technology displays may be able to be facilitated. These abstracts should be submitted as ‘special requests’ and the Office of Student Research should be emailed (osr@truman.edu) to discuss necessary accommodations.

 

Submission Guidelines

All abstracts are due by 5 pm CST on March 16. Faculty mentors must approve abstract submissions by 5 pm CST March 18.

An eligible presentation will report, perform or represent the outcome of substantial work by a student or group of students. While the project may have its origin in an assignment for a class, the presentation should show it has been developed above and beyond a class requirement. It is a paper, artifact or performance that can truly be called a creative achievement.

Each presentation should be sponsored or co-sponsored by a Truman faculty mentor(s); non-sponsored abstracts will not be accepted. If students wish to present scholarly work that has been conducted during an off-campus scholarly experience, and the faculty mentor is from a different institution, the student should identify a Truman faculty member to be a co-sponsor of the presentation and to help with planning the presentation.

Each presentation requires an abstract. An abstract is a summary of the project, and should reflect the professional format normally associated with scholarly work in the discipline (e.g., an abstract of an artistic performance may be similar to the program notes that typically accompany such a performance; scientific abstracts typically include background information, methods, results, and a brief discussion). All abstracts will appear on the conference website.

The same student should not be a first author on more than two abstracts. Both single- and multiple-author presentations are welcome. The student submitting the abstract will be listed as the first author. Each abstract should only be submitted by one student.

Student authors should adhere to professional submission standards when preparing abstracts and should work with their faculty mentors to ensure that their abstract is correct, complete, and that all guidelines are followed. The body of the abstract should not exceed 150 words, and it can be composed and edited using standard word processing software. The final abstract, along with other information, will need to be submitted via the online submission form. Examples of past abstracts can be viewed here.

Abstracts and other relevant information for all presentations should be submitted via the online submission form. Copies of the information submitted will be emailed to the student presenter(s) and the faculty mentor(s). The submission site will open in January 2021, and the deadline for receiving abstracts is March 16, 2021 at 5:00 pm CST.

Submit an Abstract

Program & Schedule

The abstracts and final program will be available online prior to the event. Questions about the program for the Conference should be directed to the Office of Student Research via email at osr@truman.edu.

View Abstracts

Information for Students

The annual Student Research Conference is one of the distinctive features of the Truman experience, an important reason why the school that you are attending has such a strong reputation. As you consider applying to be a part of this special day, there are a few items below that may convince you to become involved, and will lead to an enriching, and exciting experience.

  • the development of skills to function more independently
  • the opportunity to put classroom knowledge into practice
  • the identification of career interests
  • the building of mentor relationships between faculty and students
  • the stimulation that comes with critical thinking
  • the opportunity to participate in new discoveries
  • the ability to better understand research methodologies
  • the stimulation of creativity
  • the increased likelihood of acceptance into graduate or professional school
  • the ability to communicate to a wide audience
  • recognition by one’s peers
  • the sheer excitement created by intellectual activity
  • the opportunity to earn wages or academic credit
  • the enhanced ability to grasp the philosophy of life-long learning

  1. Communicate with your faculty mentor early. Your mentor is a professional; you will soon become a professional. Learn from her/him the proper procedures for designing and presenting your project. Let them know early your hopes and aspirations for the conference, so that they may guide you through this experience.
  2. Have your mentor review your material. Your mentor should view your abstract before it’s submitted so you can make the necessary revisions. You should also work with your mentor before presenting at the Student Research Conference to make sure your presentation is of professional quality.
  3. Practice and time your talk. If presenting a face-to-face oral presentation, you will have 10-12 minutes to speak, 3-5 minutes to answer questions. You will not be permitted to exceed this limit. In preparation for a professional conference, the speaker practices and times the presentation. Be professional, and do this as well.
  4. Use slides judiciously. A professional uses PowerPoint as an aid to outline and guide a presentation, not to substitute for a presentation.

 

More information for preparation of virtual presentations will be posted prior to the Student Research Conference.

  • You do not need a hard copy of your presentation.
  • Dress professionally. Your appearance communicates your competency, both at this conference and in all other professional situations.
  • Arrive ~15 minutes before your scheduled session begins and stay for the entirety of your scheduled session.
  • If you are presenting virtually, periodically check for questions and comments on your presentation so you can respond to them.

Information for Faculty Mentors

The size and scope of the Conference preclude any type of peer review of abstracts, and virtually all student submissions are accepted for presentation. Consequently, each student presentation must be sponsored by a faculty mentor, and the Program Committee will rely on faculty mentors to work with their student(s) to ensure that abstracts are correct, complete and the result of eligible work (see submission guidelines above). While the primary goal of the conference is to encourage and reward student research, scholarship and creative activity, faculty mentors should remember that their student’s presentation also reflects upon themselves and their academic discipline and division. At the very minimum, faculty mentors should: 1) ensure that the student(s) have complied with the submission guidelines, 2) proof-read the abstract prior to submission and give the student(s) appropriate feedback and editing, 3) formally approve the abstract submission, and 4) preview the presentation prior to the Conference and give appropriate feedback to enhance the quality of the presentation.

Each presentation must have a faculty mentor. If students are presenting work done off-campus, for example during an internship, they must identify a Truman faculty member as co-sponsor. Abstracts that lack faculty sponsorship will not be accepted. Your involvement in work to be presented at the Student Research Conference is therefore essential; without you, there can be no conference. You should know about the responsibilities of mentoring as well as the significant benefits it can confer.

As a faculty mentor, you should familiarize yourself with the Presentation Types and Submission Guidelines listed in the Call for Abstracts. There is no central review process for this Conference—virtually all submissions that have faculty mentors will be accepted. This means that, before you agree to be a mentor, you should make sure the proposed work is eligible (see Submission Guidelines); and, after agreeing, you should work with the students involved in preparing the abstract and getting ready for the presentation.

At the minimum, faculty should proofread the abstract before submission, give appropriate feedback and editing, and formally approve the submission. You will receive notification via email when a presentation for which you are listed as a mentor has been accepted. Stay in touch with students you are mentoring so you can preview presentations, giving appropriate feedback to enhance their quality.

  • the stimulation and confidence that accompanies creative thinking
  • the opportunity to mentor enthusiastic, high-quality students
  • the enhanced ability to remain current in one’s field and discipline
  • the excitement created by intellectual activity and participation in new discoveries
  • the recognition by one’s internal and external peers
  • the reinvigoration of one’s career
  • the chance to improve teaching techniques, such as in investigative laboratories (or workshops)
  • the ability to transfer results from one’s scholarship into the classroom
  • the ability to promote the concept of life-long learning for students.