Project Description Summary

Regardless of the field - whether your are conducting scientific research, performing a creative work, or exploring a social issue, presenting your project at an academic event, like the symposium, requires clear communication. The goal is to convey your ideas in a way that is accessible to a broad audience, including those who may not be experts in your field. Consider it similarly to a movie trailer: it should give an overview of your project and spark the audience's curiosity- typically in one concise paragraph. Abstracts, artist or project statements all serve as summaries tailored to different fields

Abstract or Project Summary (for Research and Scholarly Work)
An abstract is a brief summary (usually no more than 1500 characters) of your research or project, written to give your audience a snapshot of what you are researching, why it's important, and potential new information (discoveries). It should highlight your research question, methodology, potential or key findings and significance - whether you are exploring a historical trend, testing a scientific hypothesis or analyzing a complex issue. While it's typically associated with scientific and scholarly fields, abstracts are essential in any discipline where research is central - social sciences, humanities or natural sciences. 

Artist Overview (for Creative Works)
An artist statement is the equivalent of an abstract for individuals presenting creative works - whether visual art, music, theater, performance. Instead of summarizing research findings, the statement explains the creative process, the themes or concepts behind the work, and what the presenter aims to communicate to the audience. For example, if you are presenting a film or a dance piece - your artist statement provides context: What inspired your work? What does it aim to explore or express? How does it potentially engage with larger cultural, social or artistic conversations? This helps both experts and non-experts understand the intention behind the creation.

Inclusivity Across Disciplines
Regardless of what name it goes by, whether it's called an abstract, artist statement or project description, this introductory piece is an important tool for communicating your work. No matter your academic discipline, the goal is the same: to present your research, creative project, or an interdisciplinary work in a way that is clear, concise and engaging for a wide-ranging audience - experts, peers, and the general public.

1. Be clear and concise - keep in under 1500 characters (roughly 250 to 300 words), and focus on core ideas without jargon or unnecessary details.
2. Use accessible language - write in a way that a person unfamiliar with your field can understand, without oversimplifying the content.
3. Highlight the significance or potential significance- What makes your work interesting or important? Whether it's a breakthrough finding or an innovative artistic approach, let your audience know why it matters.
4. Contextualize your work- briefly explain your methodology (for research) or your creative process (for artistic work), helping the audience understand your approach and reasoning.

The goal is communicate your work clearly and engagingly. 

1. Identify the Purpose
   • Abstract - summarize your research project - what is your question, approach and main finding or insight?
   • Artist Overview - explain the inspiration and creative process behind your work- what themes or message does it explore?
   • Project Summary- provide context and objectives - what does your project aim to achieve and why is it important or potentially important?
2. Keep in Concise
   • stick to the word limit - avoid excessive details
3. Describe Your Approach or Methods
   • Abstract - what methods did you use to gather data or analyze results?
   • Creative Work- what media, materials or environmental context informed your process?
   • Project- how was your project process structured and/or executed?
4. Highlight Results or Insights
   • Abstract- what are your key findings or conclusions?
   • Creative Work- what do you want your audience to take away from your work?
   • Project- what outcomes or contributions does your project offer or potentially offer?
5. Conclude with Significance or Potential Significance
   • Why is your work important or potentially important and how might it contribute to your field, discipline or community?
6. Edit for Clarity
   • review your statement for clarity, accuracy and ensure it's understandable to a broad audience.
   • your entry will be input verbatim into the Symposium Program, so double check for grammatical or spelling errors.

Ask your faculty or research mentors for guidance writing your project summary. The Undergraduate Research Symposium organizers, ASURE (Affiliated Students for Undergraduate Research Engagement) student group and allied programs for undergraduate research and distinguished scholarships offer drop-in open hours advising Monday to Thursday. Click here for the schedule.

Symposium preparation workshops are available in the weeks leading up to the participation registration deadline, as well as the symposium event, and recorded sessions can be accesses on the Symposium YouTube channel. 

At what point in my research project should I submit the project description summary for the Undergraduate Research Symposium?

Participants should submit their Project Description Summary at the same time they provide their presentation information via the Undergraduate Research Symposium Participation Registration form. The symposium organizers understand that summaries may reflect projected findings, conclusions or outcomes and it is not necessary to have completed data or final results to present. You are encouraged to consult with your faculty or project mentor, who can provide guidance and support throughout the process of preparing your project to present.

Where, additionally, should I present my work?

The University of Oregon’s Undergraduate Research Symposium offers a supportive environment to present your work and to receive informal feedback that can help prepare you for regional and national academic conferences in your field of study. Consult your faculty mentor or project advisor for conference, professional meeting recommendation. Subject librarians at UO Libraries serve as valuable resources for publication, presentation opportunities information and resources. The UO Library also hosts Scholars’ Bank, an open access repository for the intellectual work of faculty and students, and staff at the University of Oregon, is a resource to make public scholarly work. 

• Art Guide Organization "The Complete Guide to Writing an Artist Statement"
• Art Institute Chicago "Artist Statement"
• UC Davis “How to Write an Abstract for the Undergraduate Research Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference”
• Johns Hopkins Abstract-Writing Tips
• Michigan State University Abstract Examples
• RISD "Importance of an Artist Statement"
• University of Minnesota “Abstract Writing”
• University of Missouri “How to Write an Abstract”
• UO Undergraduate Research Symposium Abstract examples
• Washington University in St Louis Office of Undergraduate Research “Writing an Abstract” 

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