Symposium FAQs

In general, a symposium is a conference that discusses a specific topic. In our case, the topic is undergraduate research from all across campus.

We do not know exactly how many people attend the event. We generally have about 320 students presenting, 150 judges, and members of the public and campus community who are not serving as judges. Our best guess is around 600 people.

At this time, we do not have a way for you to present remotely. However, if you would like to create a poster and have us display it during the event, we are happy to do so. Please reach out to Jessica (jlschuld@uwm.edu) to arrange this.

You may contact Jessica Schuld (jlschuld@uwm.edu) with any changes you may need.

If you are able, we encourage students to be present for the entire symposium. For poster presenters, it is important that you are at your posters by 10am as judges will start coming around. Judging will take place from 10-11am, prioritize being present at your posters during this time or you may not be in the running for an outstanding presentation award.

The week of the event, an event website will be published. On the site you will be able to search abstracts and the location of the presenters.

Yes, you may clock hours for the time you spend writing your abstract, designing your poster and presenting your work.

Yes, as stated on your award letter, you are expected to present some of your research findings at the Annual Symposium within the academic year (Summer before, Fall semester before, Spring semester of the Symposium). If you are not able to meet this expectation for any reason, please contact Kyla Esguerra (kylam@uwm.edu) to request an exemption.

If your research was conducted with a graduate student or post-doc, then you are working under a faculty mentor and should include their name on your submission form. You may also include the name/s of the graduate students or post-doc who is directly mentoring you.

If you are working with a mentor from another institution please contact Jessica Schuld (jlschuld@uwm.edu) to inquire about eligibility. Students working with faculty from Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center are encouraged to present as this is a program coordinated through our office.

Yes, you are welcome to present as long as your professor is aware you plan to present and you list them as your mentor. In some cases, entire classes are required or encouraged to participate.

Yes! We are happy to have students involved in undergraduate research in all capacities present. That means you could be volunteering, being paid by funds other than SURF, or perhaps part of a research course.

Absolutely, we have a large number of SURF students in these areas and are happy to work with you in finding the best method for you to present your work.

We recommend first talking to your professor to see if you can be excused from that class. Many times they are aware of the event and are happy to accommodate you. If you are unable to attend, please reach out to Kyla Esguerra (kylam@uwm.edu) to request an exemption from the requirement.

Yes! We have a few options for you. If you present two posters we will make sure they are next to each other. If you would like to present three, which is very rare, one will need to be an oral presentation and the other two posters. Please reach out to Jessica Schuld (jlschuld@uwm.edu) with questions.

No, your research does not need to be complete in order for you to present. We understand that students are in various stages in their work. You can talk about your anticipated results.

Unfortunately, no, this symposium is focused on faculty led research and we require a research mentor to be identified during the abstract submission process. If it was done as part of a class, you may present with the permission of your professor and if they are willing to be listed as your mentor.

Poster presentations will take place all at the same time in one large room. Students will be given a two our time frame to present their work.

Oral presentations will take place in smaller breakout rooms during a one-hour block. Up to four students will be assigned to a room (based on the themes of their presentations) and will each have 15 minutes. Students should spend 10-12 minutes to present, often using slides, and then will have 3-5 minutes for questions. A moderator will be in each room to introduce students and provide time cues.

Computers, projectors and sound will be available for all rooms.

Our office is only able to cover the cost of your poster if you submit it to us and use Print Services.

Please submit your poster for printing to our@uwm.edu by the due date as a .ppt or .pdf file and title the file LastName_FirstName–OUR. We will notify you by email when your poster is ready for pickup. If you have a poster from a previous event that you plan on using, that is great, please email Tamara McKinney (talong@uwm.edu) to confirm that you do not need our office to print one for you.

If your department has access to their own plotter (poster printer) you may use that to print your poster with their permission. Please email Tamara McKinney (talong@uwm.edu) to confirm that you do not need our office to print one for you.

If you decide to print your poster outside of UWM, you may, at your own cost (about $60 per poster). Please email Tamara McKinney (talong@uwm.edu) to confirm that you do not need our office to print one for you.

There are questions on the Abstract Submission form for you to indicated any special needs. If you have already submitted your abstract, reach out to Jessica Schuld (jlschuld@uwm.edu) to request any accommodations needed.

When your poster is printed, you will receive an email to pick up your poster in Bolton Hall 192.

There are two times to set up your poster. We will hold a practice session the evening before the event where you are welcome to set up your poster and leave it over night. You may also set up your poster the morning of the event, starting at 8am. Check the website for exact times and locations. You will also receive emails with additional information leading up to the event.

We provide everything you need to hang up your poster. All you need to bring is the poster itself.

Yes, the poster is yours! You may want to check with your research mentor, sometimes they like to display them within the department for a period of time.

Unless you have a good reason you need to print a new one, you should use the same poster for multiple events.

Your poster will be held in Bolton Hall 192 until the end of the semester. At that time, any posters not picked up will be thrown out.

You will submit your presentation file to our@uwm.edu the week of the event. The moderator of your room will have a file with all the presentations for that room on the day of the event.

If you are presenting a poster, you should arrive by 9:45am. You may arrive as early as 8am to set up and practice.

If you are doing and oral presentation or performance you should arrive to your room 10 minutes before the start of your presentation block. If your block starts at 10am, arrive by 9:50am. If the block starts at 10:30am, arrive by 10:20am.

Yes, please check in at the student registration table when you arrive. You will find your name tag. If you need assistance in finding where your room or poster will be, please ask the staff at the table.

Bring your water bottle with you! You will want to have it while you are presenting and you will have space under your poster to store it. We will have coat racks available and hope to have a room to store backpacks. More information will be giving in an email leading up to the event.

Most students wear business causal to this event. We do not have a strict dress code, but you should look at this as a professional event and dress accordingly. If you are presenting a poster, take into consideration that you will be standing for two hours and that the room will be crowded. Layers and comfortable shoes are advised. Ultimately, you should wear what makes you feel good and confident.

Judging will take place between 10-11am so we highly encourage you to be at your poster during that time if you would like to be in the running for an outstanding presentation award. If you are not at your poster when your judge arrives, they may not have time to come back to find you.

Each student will be randomly assigned two volunteer judges from the campus community. Each of your judges should introduce themselves to you and will ask you to tell them about the work you did. They will most likely not have a background in the subject you are presenting and it is your goal to help them understand what you did and why it is important. They will have a rubric, which you can find on the judging page. They will have the opportunity to nominate students for an outstanding presentation award, which will be presented in the closing ceremony.

You may not know. We hope that they introduce themselves to you, but we can’t guarantee how each of our 150 volunteers will conduct their judging duties.

Yes, there is food at this event. It is meant as a snack, not a meal, plan accordingly.

Yes! This event is open to the public, please invite your friends and family.

Union Parking Garage will be the most convenient parking location. They can take the main parking garage entrance to the event space. They can stop at the Information Desk if they need help locating the event space.