Undergraduate Research Shines at Virtual Showcase
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 26, 2021) — Spring is here, which means it is once again time for University of Kentucky students to show off their vast scholarly and creative talents at the 15th annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars.
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Bold Dreamers and Strategic Thinkers” and will offer both synchronous and asynchronous virtual presentations over the course of three days. The showcase celebrates the accomplishments of UK students and encourages them along the path of intellectual achievement. It also celebrates the inspiration and creativity of UK's student scholars and the dedication of their mentors.
The virtual event will take place from Tuesday, April 27, to Thursday, April 29, on Zoom, and features 200+ presentations representing 50 disciplines and 16 colleges. The showcase includes 10-minute oral presentations presented live on Zoom with audience Q&A sessions to follow, a virtual project gallery and digital abstract book.
“Inspiringly, our students' contributions have considerable impact in their respective fields and to their professional development,” said Evie Russell, assistant director in the Office of Undergraduate Research. “The showcase is a great opportunity for students to professionally present, perform or demonstrate their faculty-mentored research to UK faculty, staff, students and the general public.”
As in previous years, outstanding faculty mentors will also be recognized during the virtual showcase’s opening ceremony. The student-nominated award is presented to UK faculty 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 faculty members were nominated.
If you would like to attend the virtual showcase, follow this link. The Zoom access information will be included in the confirmation email, and only one registration is need for the three-day event. To see the presentation schedule, click here.
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.