Spring 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium

Friday, April 11, 2025

Overview

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) hosts Undergraduate Research Symposia twice a year, showcasing the diverse range of research and creative inquiry conducted by WashU undergraduate students. The Spring 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium will take place from 10AM to 5PM on Friday, April 11, in Frick Forum (1st floor) and other locations in Bauer/Knight Halls. Any WashU student is welcome to present their faculty mentored, inquiry-based project, including works in progress. 

The symposia provide an opportunity for undergraduate students to share their work, engage in peer networking and cross-disciplinary conversations, and develop presentation skills. For students interested in getting started in research, the symposium is a great opportunity to learn about the research process from your peers. All WashU community members are encouraged to attend!

Key Dates for Presenters

  • Friday, January 31: Registration opens (review a blank registration form)
  • Sunday, March 2: Registration deadline. Registration is required for all symposium participants; no students are automatically registered. Registration includes a tentative title and abstract. 
  • Friday, March 7: Presenters notified of session assignments
  • Friday, March 14: Deadline for presenters to confirm participation
  • Friday, April 4: Submission deadline - final title, abstract, and presentation file for online program due* 
  • Friday, April 11: Symposium from 10AM - 5PM in Frick Forum (1st floor of Bauer/Knight Halls)

* All presenters must submit a presentation file (e.g., PDF of poster, slides, or exhibit) for the online program (see the Fall 2024 URS program). This file will be VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC as submitted, so it is critical for students to discuss their submissions with their faculty mentors. If there are IP concerns and data cannot be publicly disclosed, students should coordinate with the OUR to protect sensitive information.

Register Now

Spring 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium registration is open through Sunday, March 2.

Register

Registration Tips

  • Registration is required for all symposium participants, including OUR awardees. If your course or department requires that you present at the symposium (e.g., to receive honors), you must register; no students are automatically registered. This requirement stems from the OUR's need to collect student availability in order to make session assignments.
  • Because of capacity limitations, students will be limited to one solo presentation, though students may give a solo presentation and also participate in a group presentation. For their solo presentations, students will be assigned either a talk, poster or exhibit; they will not present in multiple formats. 
  • Multiple symposium presentation formats are available. Please review the general purpose, content, and materials expected for each format to facilitate your registration selections. 
  • Registration requires the following information (review a blank registration form): faculty mentor (WashU or external) contact information, a tentative presentation title, and a draft abstract or creative statement (max: 250 words) due Sunday, March 2, at 11:59 PM CT. The tentative title and abstract can be revised prior to final submission. After the March 2 registration deadline, students interested in presenting should contact the OUR (undergradresearch@wustl.edu) to inquire whether space remains available.
  • When reporting availability, presenters should allow 15 minutes prior to the session for check in.
  • If none of the available session times fits your schedule, please inform us via the registration form. Those unavailable to participate may defer to the fall 2025 symposium or, if graduating in May, record a virtual presentation.
  • For group presentations, only one participant needs to submit the registration form, where they will be asked to supply the names and emails of additional group members. The same group member should complete all subsequent symposium forms (i.e., confirmation, submission) to enable accurate OUR tracking.
  • Upon submission, the faculty mentor will be notified of registration, as will any co-presenters, if applicable.
  • Students will receive an email confirmation upon successful registration. If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact the OUR (undergradresearch@wustl.edu).

Guidance and Inspiration

Writing Center & Speaking Studio

Get support for writing and public speaking

Symposium FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the OUR's undergraduate research symposia

Making a Poster

Helpful Tips on presenting your research

Writing an Abstract

Helpful Tips on writing an abstract for your project

Make an Appointment with the OUR

It is never too early or too late to consult with OUR Staff

WashU Research Ambassador Program (WRAP)

Peer mentors can advise you based on their experience with UG research

search more resources

Presentation Formats

To the extent possible, all students will be grouped thematically and present alongside others in their broad discipline or area of inquiry. Below is an overview of each available presentation format, its intended purpose and content, and its logistical details. Visit the Spring 2024 URS online program to view example materials across disciplines.

75-Minute Poster Presentations

  • Purpose: To provide extensive conversation, questions, and constructive feedback from audience members with varying levels of disciplinary expertise. This presentation format is the most interactive, offering a great opportunity for students to solicit input on projects at any stage (e.g., design, work-in-progress, or completed).
  • Content: Individual or group presenters should leverage their poster as a visual aid for brief verbal presentations. Best practice is to prepare a short (1 minute) “elevator pitch” describing the work for a diverse audience, plus a longer (3-5 minute) walk-through for those interested in more detail. Audience members can interject questions at any point.
  • Materials: A poster provides a large-format summary of your project utilizing any combination of text and/or imagery. Visit the Making a Poster page for help with the poster design process.

5-Minute Lightning Talks (Plus 2-Minute Q&A)

  • Purpose: Ideal for presenting works in progress. Lightning talks provide the opportunity to practice succinct and clear communication with a diverse audience in a low-pressure environment. They allow presenters to take stock of their project progress and receive brief feedback.
  • Content: Presenters should consider where they are in the progression of their project (e.g., literature review, design, troubleshooting methods, evidence collection, creative production, synthesis) and choose the most relevant phase to highlight. This focal point for the talk should follow a brief introduction of the motivating research question or creative objective. Audience members can raise questions following the talk.
  • Materials: A good rule of thumb is to utilize no more than 1 slide per minute. Presenters utilizing slides as an optional visual aid should therefore prepare no more than 5 slides total, with fewer slides likely working better, given the time constraints.

8-minute deeper dive talks (plus 2 minutes Q&A)

  • Purpose: Ideal for more developed work. Deeper dive talks provide the opportunity to practice more in-depth communication about a project with a diverse audience in a low-pressure environment. They allow presenters to share their developing disciplinary expertise and seek brief feedback on their project as a whole.
  • Content: Presenters should consider what new knowledge is being generated, or what new understanding is being developed, through their project. After establishing the motivating research question or creative objective, the talk can delve into the process and/or outcomes of discovery.
  • Materials: A good rule of thumb is to utilize no more than 1 slide per minute. Presenters utilizing slides as an optional visual aid should therefore prepare no more than 8 slides total, with fewer slides likely working better, given the time constraints.

Creative Exhibits and Performances

  • Purpose: Ideal for undergraduate inquiry involving the arts and/or creative practice. Whether through static or dynamic modalities, presenters can share the process and/or outputs of discovery in their discipline.
  • Content: During symposium registration, students can describe the nature of their desired presentation and identify the resources, space, and time required. Opportunities will be made available as interest and capacity allow.