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.
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
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
Monday, March 22nd:
Wednesday, March 24th:
Thursday, March 25th:
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
Theme 2: Sustainable Progress and Future Innovation
Theme 3: Health & Well-being, Partnerships, and Regional Impact or Engagement
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