Undergraduate Submission Guidelines

Undergraduate Research Student Abstract Submission Guidelines by Discipline

  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.

Sustainability Submission Guidelines

Students who have completed sustainability projects of one type or another during the academic year, whether as part of a class or independent project, are invited to showcase their work at the Research and Engagement Symposium.

  • The abstract for sustainability-related submissions should include a description of the project and its connection to sustainability.

Community Engagement Submission Guidelines

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.

Submissions should include the following:

  • Description of purpose and the implementation of the project
  • Description of the community outcomes for the project
  • Outcomes for the student, academically and professionally

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 a 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 multiple areas are 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.
    • 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.
    • 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 and how might this change affect people, places, design aspirations, building technology, etc.?
  3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. How will you conduct the research (i.e. comparative, historical, 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 recognize that researching a “thing” in the built environment may be difficult, but do your best.
  6. Be well-written and well-organized. Follow the script you have been given (the steps above, in that 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 aloud 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 your proposal. If 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. Briefly describe 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.

Internship Submission Guidelines

Students who have completed an internship during the academic year, whether for credit or not for credit, are invited to showcase their experience at the Research and Engagement Symposium. Submissions should include the following:

  • Description of your internship.
  • An explanation of how you applied classroom knowledge in your internship.
  • A reflection on what you gained academically and professionally.