Call for Abstracts

The 2023 Call for Abstracts will open in January of 2023 - Please check back.

ELIGIBILITY

  • UMCUR is designed to highlight the original research and creative scholarship of UM students. Participation is open to all UM undergraduates in good standing.

  • Students receiving research scholarships through the Davidson Honors College must present the results of their work within the academic year of the award. UMCUR provides an excellent opportunity to satisfy that requirement.

  • Students are welcome to present works-in-progress, as well as completed research and creative scholarship.

  • Submissions may be made for an oral presentation (individual author, co-authors, Franke Global Leadership Initiative (GLI) panel, or Visual & Performing Arts), or as a poster presentation. The five research categories are Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Visual & Performing Arts (music, drama, dance, film, sculpture, and poetry readings, etc. are welcome). **Note - The Franke Global Leadership Initiative (GLI) panel is considered its own category in oral presentations and has its own judging rubric & award.  

  • UMCUR attracts a general audience composed of students and faculty in all disciplines. Your intentions must be communicated in a manner that is intelligible to all audience members.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Abstracts/Artist Statements

  1. Submissions may be made as either an oral (including visual & performing art and GLI panels) or poster presentation.
  2. To apply, all applicants must have their faculty research mentor review and approve the abstract prior to submission. Submitters will be asked to provide the name and department of their mentor in the submission form.
  3. Abstracts/Artist Statements (circa 300 words) must include the following elements (as applicable to your field): Your UMCUR abstract must be specific to this presentation. It should not be an abstract that you previously submitted for an award application; rather, it should be revised to reflect your most recent work on the project. View our sample abstracts for strong examples. Artist statements may be submitted in lieu of an abstract to the Visual & Performing Arts category. Entries should also include research or explanation of artwork, sculpture, painting, writing, reading, dancing, playing an instrument, etc.
    1. Title – Describe your topic in language that is intelligible to a general audience.
    2. Purpose – State your main thesis or rationale.
    3. Methods – How did you carry out this project?
    4. Significance – Explain the contribution of this project to your field and/or to society.  Your explanation can include reasoning or inspiration for choosing this topic, or what details lead you to this research. No need to have conclusive answers or evidence, especially if your data is still being processed.
  4. Complete the ScholarWorks Online Submission Form using your NetID email (ex. AA123456@umconnect.umt.edu) by TBD.  It is suggested the final abstract be uploaded at this time. However, edits to the submission (i.e. updates to abstract, data & authors), uploading posters & presentation slides (including video presentations if desired - not mandatory), may be made any time prior to the upload deadline is TBD.

Presentations

All submitters are required to present their research in person at UMCUR, TBD, in the University Center (3rd floor).  UMCUR attracts a general audience composed of students and faculty in all disciplines. Your intentions must be communicated in a manner that is intelligible to that audience. 

Oral Presentations (including Visual & Performing Art) are scheduled in one-hour blocks throughout the day.  Each presentation within the block will be 20 minutes total (15 minutes for presentation & 3-5 minutes allotted for questions). 

Poster Presentations are scheduled in the morning & afternoon poster sessions. You will be asked to be in front of your poster and present for the entire hour.  Individual presentation length should be no more than 10-15 minutes in total with time allotted for questions.

"DAY OF" Logistics: For additional logistics on presentations including conference format, printing/uploading posters, and set-up for UMCUR - please check back.

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE & RESOURCES

UM Writing and Public Speaking Center Logo

If you would like additional assistance in prepping your abstract, creating an effective presentation, or would like to practice with feedback, the UM Writing and Public Speaking Center have appointments available. Contact them today!

  • TBD - Abstract-Writing Workshop - The Writing and Public Speaking Center is offering an abstract-writing workshop for UMCUR submissions - please check back.
  • Live UMCUR Q&A Zoom Workshop - TBD. Do you have poster or presentation questions? Make sure to join us for this important live Q&A discussion. 

Additional Resources 

JUDGING & AWARDS

The Committee on Undergraduate Research, with support from Experiential Learning & Career Success, will present awards to the top oral and poster presentations in each of the five research categories (Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Visual & Performing Arts).  **The Franke Global Leadership Initiative will present an award to the top GLI capstone team oral presentation.

NOTE - ALL submissions will be judged during the in-person sessions.  In order to qualify for an award, the author must, submit an abstract (previously approved by a faculty mentor) and present in person at 2023 UMCUR.  Awards will be presented for outstanding achievement to winning projects across UMCUR categories.

Tailoring your presentation to a general audience is an important factor in obtaining a UMCUR award.  So, take the time to get it right.  This is an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself and explain the purpose, methods, and significance of the project.  **Research conclusions are not mandatory if data is still ongoing and/or not complete. 

Presentations will be judged based on the UMCUR Rubric.  Franke Global Leadership Initiative (GLI) presentation judges will be using the GLI Rubric.

Judges will deliberate after the conference and awardees will be announced after the conference. The awards ceremony will follow. Watch emails for more information. UMCUR Past Awards & Archives

Launch UM virtual tour.