Presenting & Publishing Research

Students may choose to present their research findings at a conference, symposium, forum, or other research-related event. And while presenting research is not required, it can be beneficial to the researcher. Presenting a project offers an opportunity for discussion which can further the development of the project itself; it also gives the researcher experience that can prove advantageous on a resume.

Students typically present their work in the form of a scholarly poster or an oral presentation. Students may present at any stage of their research; a project does not need to be complete to be presented.

Students who are completing an independent research project should work with their faculty mentor on where, how, and when their presentation takes place. Faculty mentors can provide valuable feedback and advice on how to proceed at all stages. Students who have been assisting with a faculty research project must receive the approval of their faculty supervisor before making any plans to present. Once approved, students should work with their faculty supervisor on where, how, and when their presentation takes place.

Poster Presentations

• Posters are a great way to visually engage an audience.
• Unlike traditional oral presentations that create a lecture atmosphere, a poster easily engages the presenter and the audience in a discussion of the topic.
• Poster sessions give students the opportunity to brainstorm with others who share their interests.
• A poster presentation invites collaboration. It allows the audience to engage with the researcher in a spontaneous and energizing way.

For guidelines, examples, and a step-by-step guide on how to make a poster presentation, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Research Poster Guide section, and check out their Poster Design Workshops for more help!

Oral Presentations

• Oral presentations are more formal, allowing students to practice their public speaking skills and display their expertise.
• Many professors prefer that their students conduct oral presentations rather than poster presentations so they will be better prepared for graduate study and beyond.
• In some disciplines, oral presentations are more common than posters.

Undergraduate College | Texas Student Research Showdown

• This is a video competition for undergraduate researchers at The University of Texas at Austin.
• Student researchers create videos communicating their research or creative activity to a general audience.
  • As selected by a panel of faculty judges, the top two videos in two categories (arts, humanities, and social sciences; science, technology, and engineering) will receive $1500 and $500 awards, and an audience choice winner selected by UT students will receive $1000.
• Why Enter? 
  • This is a fantastic opportunity to communicate effectively about your work to a general audience in terms that make sense to non-experts about why your research is important. 

 

Undergraduate College | Research Week

• Research Week is The University of Texas at Austin’s annual celebration of undergraduate research and creative activity.
• This week-long event provides opportunities for undergraduates to explore UT’s vast and diverse community of research and creative work, and to find ways of getting involved.
• It's also a time for departments, colleges, and programs to showcase their students’ world-changing achievements.

Some of the events that take place during Research Week:

• Longhorn Research Poster Session
• The aforementioned Texas Student Research Showdown
• Liberal Arts Plan II Senior Thesis Symposium
• Liberal Arts Undergraduate Research Symposium

 

UT Student Org Event | The Capital of Texas Undergraduate Research Conference

Office of Undergraduate Research | Conferences

• If you want to share your research with an audience or meet with other researchers in your field, you may want to consider presenting your work at a conference on- or off-campus. Conferences provide an important networking opportunity for researchers at all levels of their career.
• Visit the link above for more information.
  • Be sure to check out the Research Travel Awards designed to help students travel to conferences to present their research.

Publishing your research paper is a great way to share your work and receive recognition that is beneficial for your resume or graduate school application. The Office of Undergraduate Research maintains a current list of publications which accept student research articles for publishing.

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