Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity

Symposium participants discussing their projects at poster session

The Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity provides ambitious, intellectually motivated undergraduate students the opportunity to present and defend their original research or creative work among peers, faculty, family, and friends. Through its emphasis on original research and creative work, the Symposium seeks to inspire undergraduate students to analyze, critique, and engage with the world around them. We welcome research or creative work from every discipline. Symposium participation is on a competitive basis.

2025 Symposium

The 2025 Symposium will be held in person on Thursday, April 10, 2025 on the second floor of the Howard Gittis Student Center on Main Campus. There will be thematic panel sessions of papers and posters on display.

Schedule of Events

Schedule of Events

9:00-9:20

Presenter Check-In and Coffee

9:30-10:50

Concurrent Sessions

11:00-12:20

Concurrent Sessions

12:30-1:50

Poster Session

2:00-3:20

Concurrent Sessions

3:30-4:50

Concurrent Sessions

How to Apply

Step 0: Check Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Current enrolled undergraduates from all Temple schools and colleges.
  • Work on the research or creative project must be complete at the time of submission.
  • Work must be endorsed by a Temple faculty member.
  • Students may submit multiple projects. However, if more than one project is accepted, the student will have to choose which project they will present.
  • The Symposium is a celebration of a community of scholars and artists. Presenters are strongly encouraged to attend the full day to support and learn from each other.
Step 1: Initial Submission and Application Link
  • Student submits online application form by student deadline at link below. Form contains:
    • Presentation Title
    • Presentation Format (Oral or Poster)
    • Funding bodies (CARAS, Diamond Scholars, LAURA etc.) if applicable
    • Presentation Abstract (to be prepared in consultation with supporting faculty)
      • If you are a CLA student or supporting faculty member, be sure to review the Criteria for CLA Abstracts prior to submission to ensure that the submitted abstract complies and avoid delays in the review process
  • Supporting faculty member notified of student submission over email, reviews abstract in Symposium online portal, and renders a decision: Endorse, Do Not Endorse, or Send Back to Student. Faculty can follow this submission review guide.

Application Link:

Symposium Application

Step 1a: Revise and Resubmit
  • If supporting faculty selects “Send Back to Student” on a submitted abstract: 
  1. The student will be notified over email and is required to take action
  2. After working with their supporting faculty to revise their abstract, the student must submit their revised abstract into the application system in order to move forward with the review process. 
    • Students should give their supporting faculty a heads up when this is complete
  • Faculty mentor goes back into the Symposium application system and renders a decision. Endorsed submissions will move on to Step 2 in the review process.
Step 2: Review by School/College Coordinator

Symposium coordinator reviews faculty-endorsed abstract in Symposium online portal and renders a decision: Endorse, Do Not Endorse, or Send Back to Student.

Coordinators can access a step-by-step guide explaining their review process with screenshots.

Step 2a: Revise and Resubmit

If the coordinator selects “Send Back to Student": 

  1. The student (not the supporting faculty) will be notified over email
  2. The student must work with their supporting faculty to address any comments left by the coordinator and resubmit their application through the online system
  3. The faculty mentor needs to re-endorse the submission. Then the submission will move back to the school/college coordinator for final review.
Step 3: Submission Decision

If the research project/abstract is not accepted at the School/College level, the student will be notified of this final decision by letter (accessed through the online application portal) from the School/College Coordinator. 

 

 

If the abstract is accepted for presentation at the School/College level, the student will receive an official acceptance letter (accessible through the online application portal) and will be contacted by the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at a later date with more information! If the accepted student can no longer participate in the Symposium for any reason, or has any another questions, they must email immediately to notify the Symposium organizers.

Download a document version of the Symposium Application Process.

If you have general questions about the Symposium, please email:

Past Symposium Programs

Symposium School and College Coordinators

Contact the appropriate school/college coordinator for questions regarding the application process.

Contact the appropriate school/college coordinator for questions regarding the application process.

School/College

Coordinator

Boyer College of Music and Dance

Bradley Pearson

College of Education and Human Development

Jennifer Johnson

College of Engineering

Melissa Valdes

College of Liberal Arts

Sonja Peterson-Lewis

College of Public Health

David Sarwer

College of Science and Technology

Vincent Voelz

Fox School of Business

Misty Blessley

Klein College of Media and Communication

Scott Gratson

School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

Heather Blackburn

School of Theater, Film and Media Arts

Chris Cagle

Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Nichola Kinch

Event Contact:


Assistant Director for Undergraduate Enrichment 
Undergraduate Studies


Associate Vice Provost
Undergraduate Studies