Please review the information below PRIOR to completing the registration form.
About the Research Symposium
Join us in celebrating the 16th anniversary of the Undergraduate Research Symposium this year on May 7, 2026. This event invites presentations from undergraduate students engaged in research across all academic areas, creative works, and artistic pursuits! We encourage you to consider research as a form of exploration- whether it's uncovering new ideas, experimenting with innovative expressions, or delving into untold stories. Research is the foundation for both intellectual and creative discovery, and not simply a requirement for lab-based disciplines. No completed data or conclusions are necessary for participation in the symposium.
Standards for Presenting
To present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, you must meet the following criteria:
- Mentorship: Presenters must have a research mentor or be participating in a course, ARC, FIG, or academic program. Mentors may be faculty, graduate students, lab managers, post doctoral scholars, program supervisors, or community members directly involved with the project
- Enrollment: Presenters must be currently enrolled at the University of Oregon, Lane Community College, Central Oregon Community College, Umpqua Community College, a visiting McNair Scholar, or visiting undergraduate student with a UO academic program
- IRB Approval: If your project involves human subjects, IRB approval is required (please check with your research mentor)
Participant Information
- University of Oregon Student
- Non-UO student (additional field will appear for institutional information)
- University ID# (required for UO students only)
About You
- First Name
- Last Name
- Grad Year
- Your Email Address at School
Session Categories
- Presenting as an individual? You'll just fill out the form for yourself
- Presenting as a group? You can have up to 4 presenters total - this includes the person submitting the form.
- One one person should submit the form on behalf of the group.
- That person will need the university email addresses (not personal emails) of each co-presenter
- After the form is submitted, co-presenters will get an email to enter their own info (within 24 hours, please)
- If others contributed to the project but aren't presenting, you can still credit them as authors, in your slides, poster etc.
Co-Authors
Different than co-presenters. Co-authors are students who will not present with you at the Symposium but were involved in the work and will be noted on the poster or presentation. You may list up to five individuals. Do you have any co-authors you would like to credit?
- Yes
- No
If “Yes” is selected, a field will appear to indicate the number of co-authors and to add their information, including email address. Please ensure that you have the information prior to filling out the form.
Presentation Types- Tell Us How You Plan to Present
Review the Presentation Formats Overview page and select the presentation type(s) for your research project. Presenting the same project in multiple formats (like Poster + Oral)? Or doing two separate projects? Please submit a new form for each. NOTE: All presentation formats will be held in person, except for those specifically designated as Virtual. Virtual presenters will submit a recording to be posted on the Undergraduate Research Symposium YouTube channel. If you select Creative Works or Film Screening, an additional field will appear for you to provide details about your planned presentation.
- Poster
- Oral
- Creative Work
- Film Screening
- Works in Progress: Lightning Rounds (must be in-person)
- Virtual
Academic Area of Research Project
Make your selection(s) based on the relevant field of study for your research. This is not your Major field. The information will be used to determine presentation session groupings within similar subject areas. Review the options and choose carefully. An "Other" field is offered (at the bottom) to input a subject area not shown on the list.
Award Self-Nomination
The Undergraduate Research Symposium and sponsoring departments recognize outstanding presentations. Awards are based on academic area of research, and the primary submitter may self-nominate for up to two awards within relevant categories. Review award offerings for eligibility before completing this form. A non-selection option is available for projects that do not qualify for awards. *Available for UO Students only
Presentation Title and Abstract or Artist Overview, Project Summary
The form submitter must provide a presentation title (up to 100 characters) and brief synopsis (abstract, artist overview, project summary) of the research project (1200-1500 characters) . Similarly to a movie trailer or "hype reel" it should give an overview of your project and spark the audience's curiosity. Keep the title clear, concise, and reflective of the core idea, suitable for a general audience. The title's character limit is separate from the abstract, statement length requirement.
Submissions should range from 1200 - 1500 characters in length (including spaces), equivalent to 250 to 350 will be included in all symposium materials. Whether submitting an abstract, artist or author statement, aim for language that is accessible to diverse audience - ranging from field experts to those less familiar with your area of research.
NOTE: Please proofread your submission as this information will be transferred, verbatim, to the program book.
Find Tips for Writing Your Abstract, Artist Overview or Project Summary
The final Abstract or Artist Statement of your presentation or project, will be printed in the symposium materials and may be highlighted on the Symposium YouTube Channel with recordings (for UO virtual presenters)
Structure:
- Introductory sentence(s)
- Statement of hypothesis, thesis, purpose, or question of study
- General methods, procedures, sources, or media used
- Primary results, findings or arguments
- Primary conclusion/implication of the work
- General statement of the significance of the research or creative work
Artist Statement Structure May Additionally Include:
- Medium, materials and methods
- Subject matter
- Relationship between your concept and materials
Project Funding and Affiliations
Identify any funding sources for your research or any centers, institutes, classes, programs, departments or colleges your research may be affiliated with.
Research, Faculty or Community Mentor
List the research or faculty mentor who has provided guidance to your research (helped develop your research skills, topic, methods, or abstract). The individual may be a faculty, staff, graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, community or industry member. You will need to note the name, title/position, department affiliation, institution email address, in the fields on the next page.
- I have one mentor who I would like listed
- I have two mentors who I would like listed
Model Release
The Undergraduate Research Symposium is a signature event and will have photographers, videographers, and recorded content during the event. Additionally, some content from the event will be shared on the Undergraduate Research Symposium YouTube channel. We require all participants to sign a model release, allowing us to share content from the event and your presentations on our website and YouTube channel. The following is the release you'll be signing:
I, the undersigned, irrevocably grant the University of Oregon permission to publish, republish, adapt, exhibit, reproduce, modify, make derivative works, distribute, or display my name, image, voice, written testimony, and biographical information in connection with any university product or service. This permission applies to all markets and in any media or technology now known or hereafter developed. The university may exercise any of these rights itself or through any commercial or nonprofit successors, transferees, or licensees.
I waive any right to inspect or approve any work that bears my name, image, voice, written testimony, and biographical information. Please indicate agreement by signing below, using your mouse or touch screen. Any release under age eighteen must have parent or guardian co-signature.
Presenter Age
- 18 or older
- 17 or younger (signature must be from parent or guardian)
Additional information about the symposium can be found at urds.uoregon.edu/symposium. Questions? Email: ugresearch@uoregon.edu.