Research

Students to Present Research and Creative Work at Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 22, 2022) — University of Kentucky students, faculty and staff are gearing up for the 16th annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars. The event will take place from 1-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom, featuring over 325 students and 250 presentations representing 64 disciplines and 16 colleges.

This year, for the first time in two years, UK's Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars will be taking place in person, after having been held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New to this year’s event are two presentation sessions with the oral presentations being livestreamed on Zoom for our virtual audience.

Each spring, the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars brings together undergraduates from all disciplines, their faculty mentors and members of the community to learn about the various types of research being done by undergraduate students at UK. At the University of Kentucky, undergraduate research is central to creating a well-rounded student experience. Research and applied professional experiences further achievements and outcomes for both students and faculty and strengthen the university as a whole.

The Showcase includes projects from all disciplines, allowing students to present their work through oral sessions, posters, exhibits or performances and learn from each other about a broad range of exciting research topics. The event gives students the opportunity to engage in public outreach and polish their presentation skills. It not only provides a great learning experience for the participants, but for the attendees as well, who gain more knowledge about the world around them, as well as the depth of undergraduate involvement in research at UK.

As in previous years, outstanding faculty mentors will also be recognized during the showcase’s award ceremony. The student-nominated award is presented to UK research mentors for their commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers, providing exceptional experiences for students and supporting undergraduate research initiatives on campus. This year, a record number of 41 faculty members were nominated — representing 27 disciplines and 12 colleges. View this year’s nominees here.

The Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars is open to the public; students, faculty and staff are highly encouraged to attend. Click here for more information.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.