Interdisciplinary Conference Calls for Proposals
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2012) — The University of Kentucky Graduate Student Congress is once again to sponsoring an interdisciplinary research conference. This year, the theme is “Talk Research to Me,” a cheeky call for graduate students to present “translated” research, in other words, to present their discipline-specific research to an audience in an understandable way.
The event will take place Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, in the University of Kentucky Student Center. Students and faculty can learn more about the conference and submit their proposals here. sweb.uky.edu/StudentOrgs/GradStudentCongress/conference.html. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, Dec. 1.
Abstracts for oral presentations, poster/display, roundtables or performances can consist of original ideas, excerpts from creative or critical writings, seminars or course presentations, discussions/presentations/videos of artwork, music, etc., current or completed work or descriptions of methodologies, etc. The conference welcomes submissions from all graduate disciplines.
New graduate students or students beginning a program are encouraged to present proposed research or ideas. Work previously presented is welcome (with appropriate acknowledgement). Students should keep in mind that the audience might be completely unfamiliar with their research topic.
One of the primary benefits of participating in the GSC Interdisciplinary Conference is that the cost is minimal: there is no registration fee and travel costs are not an issue. Another benefit is that faculty will provide feedback to all participants, allowing students a somewhat stress-reduced environment in which to strengthen their presentation skills. Another benefit to all participants is the chance to communicate their research in clear terms – a skill that is helpful in job interviews and general conversation.
All participants and volunteers will receive lunch and a T-shirt.
As in years past, the conference follows a somewhat traditional format. Applicants can rank their presentation preferences: panel discussion, roundtable discussion or poster presentation.
A new feature this year will be the opportunity for both graduate students and faculty to present either their research or music and visual performances on-stage to a captive audience. Conference coordinators hope this TED-like challenge will be met with a variety of presenters, eager to show just how engaging and translatable their research can be. Experienced students are encouraged to present in stage performances.
Experienced students may also choose to participate by volunteering as peer-reviewers for the submitted abstracts. Students may submit research to be reviewed in the following academic areas: visual and performing arts, design, architecture; humanities; social sciences, business, education; physical and engineering sciences; biological sciences; and health sciences. Peer reviewers are needed for each of these areas. Contact the GSC to volunteer at graduatestudentcongress@gmail.com.
Undergraduate students and community members are invited to attend the conference. Further details and pre-registration opportunities will be available on the GSC website in January.
The conference is presented by the GSC and sponsored by the Graduate School and UK’s Student Government Association.
The Graduate Student Congress’ mission is to unify and represent the graduate student body at the University of Kentucky in matters affecting the quality of graduate student life and work and to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and promote professional development for graduate students through seminars, forums and social functions. For more information on the Graduate Student Congress visit sweb.uky.edu/StudentOrgs/GradStudentCongress/. Friend GSC us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/2251426745/ or send inquiries to graduatestudentcongress@gmail.com.
GSC MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Davis, (940) 391-8726