The 2021 Research and Scholarship Conference has been scheduled for March 24 - 25,
2021 as a virtual event!
Due to the on-going COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) potential impact, we will be hosting
the annual Research and Scholarship Conference as a virtual, web-based event. The
2021 RASC will include the 23rd Annual Undergraduate Exposition and the 29th Annual
Graduate Research Symposium. The virtual event will host a variety of digital content from registrant's posters,
exhibits, and pre-recorded presentations to faculty research roundtables, live graduate
sessions, and academic competitions with awards for undergraduate and graduate student
projects. Details will continue to update on this page as we near the event in March.
Stay Tuned!
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The Research & Scholarship Conference at Western Carolina University is made up of the
Undergraduate Expo and the Graduate Research Symposium. This showcase academic event
is hosted by The Office of the Provost, The Graduate School and Research, and the Brinson Honors College.
Undergraduate Research Exposition
The Undergraduate Research Exposition, part of WCU’s campus-wide Research and Scholarship
Conference, provides students with the opportunity to work with faculty to present
their research to an engaged audience on campus. The annual expo features over 200
student presenters working with more than 60 faculty sponsors.
Any undergraduate student engaged in scholarly inquiry, creative projects, or research
is welcome to register for this event. Registration forms are available on the link
to the Undergraduate Exposition below.
Learn more about the Undergraduate Exposition
Graduate Research Symposium
The Graduate Research Symposium is made up of three parts, research poster presentations,
oral presentations and an academic paper competition.
Graduate students interested in registering for the Graduate Research Symposium should
contact Jan Stanfield in the Graduate School for more information and how to register.
Learn More about the Graduate Research Symposium
The 2021 Research and Scholarship Conference is scheduled for debut during the week
of March 22, 2021 as a virtual, web-based celebration, with special events planned
on March 24 and 25th.
Schedule at a Glance:
Monday, March 22nd:
- 2021 Research and Scholarship Conference's Website Opening with Remarks from Dr. Brandon
Schwab (Associate Provost) and Dr. Brian Kloeppel (Dean of the Graduate School)
Wednesday, March 24th:
- Debut of the 2021 RASC Featured Presentation Winners - an academic competition sponsored
by WCU's Research & Scholarship Conference Leadership and Dr. Nelson Granda-Marulanda
of the College of Engineering and Technology.
- Faculty Research Rountables discussing how WCU's research and scholarship efforts
are part of the global march toward progress, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Thursday, March 25th:
- Live Graduate Student Project Discussions via Zoom (Times TBD)
- Live Graduate Research Symposium Reception via Zoom
The 2021 Research & Scholarship Conference is hosting an academic competition! Students
opt in during their registration!
The 2021 Featured Presentation Competition Details:
The 2021 Featured Presentation Competition is accepting abstracts and artist statements for consideration in three thematic areas
based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Abstracts and statements submitted for award consideration will be juried by a panel
of experts. In addition, we hope to bring together faculty from across the colleges to share in
how WCU defines research and creative inquiry, and to highlight the contributions
that students and faculty have made in their fields as it relates to the themes below.
Graduate and Undergraduate students working on projects related to the three themes
below are encouraged to register their abstract or statement for award consideration.
A graduate and undergraduate student will be named a winner in each of the three themes.
Students can register and opt in through the registration form for the Undergraduate Exposition or the Graduate Research Symposium. Award details are still being finalized, so check back soon!
Featured Presentation Competition Themes and Relevant Project Topics:
Do you have a project that connects with these themes? If so, register and opt in
for this award competition! Registration closes on February 11, 2021. Award winners
will be announced March 24, 2021 on the RASC virtual website.
Theme 1: Cultural Awareness, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, and Peace & Justice
- Reducing Inequalities (gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity)
- Cultural Acceptance & Awareness
- Cultural Revitalization
- Quality Education & Educational Reform
- Reducing Violence & Criminal Justice Reform
- Social Justice & Ethical Existence
- Racial & Ethnic Inclusion
- Institutional Reform (e.g. accountable and inclusive institutions from local to global)
Theme 2: Sustainable Progress and Future Innovation
- Clean water and air quality
- Affordable & Clean Energy
- Sustainable Economic Growth
- Corporate Responsibility
- Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure
- Sustainable Cities & Communities
- Responsible Consumption
- Conservation
Theme 3: Health & Well-being, Partnerships, and Regional Impact or Engagement
- Poverty
- Hunger
- Decent Work & Economic Growth
- Conservation of Land & Water Resources
- Local and Global Partnerships
- Western North Carolina & WCU Community Impact (e.g. projects that directly impact our community and region)
- Promotion of healthy lives and living for people of all ages and health conditions
- Access to clean and safe sanitation
November 23, 2020: Registration opens for the Undergraduate Exposition and Graduate Research Symposium
February 11, 2021: Registration closes
February 12 - March 5, 2021: Digital upload period for all registrants (separate instructions to be provided to
registrants via catamount email)
March 22, 2021: Website opens with remarks by Drs. Brandon Schwab and Brian Kloeppel
March 24, 2021: Featured Presentation Winners and Faculty Roundtable Discussions for the Undergraduate
Exposition
March 25, 2021: Live Graduate Project Discussions via Zoom and the Live Graduate Research Symposium
Reception
