Kennesaw State University recently hosted the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), the largest event of its kind in the country, from April 11-13. More than 4,000 undergraduate students presented their research at the Kennesaw Campus, including more than 800 attendees from 30 colleges and universities in Georgia — 400 of those from KSU.
The three-day conference gave undergraduate student researchers the opportunity to share their scholarly abstracts and creative works in a formal, professional setting and interact with students and faculty.
NCUR featured oral and poster presentations, visual arts exhibits and performances, as well as workshops and graduate and career fairs. All academic disciplines were represented, with the largest group from biology, followed by psychology and engineering.
KSU conference co-organizer Amy Buddie, director of undergraduate research and psychology professor, said that this conference was the largest in NCUR’s more than 30-year history and the first time the event will be held in Georgia.
“Undergraduate research is a cornerstone at Kennesaw State, and by engaging our students in research pursuits, we are strengthening their educational experience,” said Buddie, who launched the Office of Undergraduate Research after securing the NCUR 2019 bid three years ago.
theater sing-along on the Campus Green.
Photo by Rob C. Witzel
The event was the culmination of more than a year of planning at KSU, only possible with the assistance of approximately 1,000 community volunteers, predominately KSU’s own students, faculty, and staff.
“We’ve made every effort to convey the importance of undergraduate research on a national level, and this conference is possible because of the hard work and support of the Kennesaw State community,” Buddie said.
During the conference, Kennesaw State classes were redirected to attend NCUR, and professors have been encouraged to create assignments that allow KSU students to experience the conference sessions.
