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The following is a listing of conferences that are either dedicated to undergraduate research or conferences that undergraduates have been able to present research in the past. The most current information concerning the submission of abstracts and other details can always be found on the individual websites.

National Conference on Undergraduate Research

The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) is a national conference for undergraduate researchers from all disciplines. Students present their work to an audience of their peers, receive feedback on their research, and network with other students and faculty members. Held each spring at a different university, NCUR is an excellent presentation and networking opportunity for undergraduate researchers. Visit https://www.cur.org/events-services/ncur/ for general information about NCUR and click the “Details and Timeline” link, below, for information on how to apply to be part of the SIS Delegation to NCUR.

SIS typically sends a delegation of 6-10 undergraduate researchers to NCUR. Any undergraduate can apply to attend NCUR. However, in order to be part of the SIS Delegation to NCUR and be eligible for SIS funding support, you must have completed both SISU-206 and SISU-306 at the time of application to be part of the delegation. To apply to be part of the SIS delegation to NCUR, submit an initial application to the SIS Undergraduate Research Coordinator in the fall.

Students accepted to the SIS delegation are expected to revise their research paper for submission to the NCUR Proceedings for publication. Then, they will then apply to NCUR and, if accepted, will take part in a series of 3-4 conference preparation workshops in spring to prepare for the presentation of their research at NCUR and final submission prior to the conference in early April. These workshops cover a range of topics including:

  • Revising and preparing your research paper for submission to the NCUR proceedings
  • Preparing and practicing your NCUR presentation
  • Peer review of the papers and presentations from other members of the delegation
  • General conference preparation (including conference norms/etiquette, scheduling, logistics, etc.)

The per-person cost (travel, lodging, conference fees, and incidental expenses) vary from year to year, but are typically around $800-$1000. Students accepted to the SIS Delegation are eligible for funding via the SIS Undergraduate Research Travel Grant. Students are also eligible for an AU Undergraduate Research Travel Grant. Together, these two funding sources typically cover up to 95% of NCUR expenses. We make every effort to minimize the cost for SIS Delegation members. However, we cannot guarantee full funding and, as noted above, costs will vary year to year depending upon the conference location.

The specific dates each year will be announced; in general, you should keep the following dates in mind:

  • Mid-September: application to be part of the SIS Delegation opens
  • Early October: applications close / decisions made on SIS Delegation members
  • November: accepted delegation members submit abstracts to NCUR
  • January: NCUR announces conference acceptance decisions
  • January through April: SIS Delegation members write/revise research papers, prepare presentations, and participate in the NCUR Preparation Workshops
  • Early April: SIS Delegation members submit final research papers to NCUR Proceedings for publication consideration
  • Early/Mid-April: NCUR Conference
  • April-June: Revisions to NCUR Proceedings submissions (if needed) for publication

Interested students should contact the Undergraduate Research Coordinator Aaron P. Boesenecker with any questions. Visit the Council on Undergraduate Research website for more information about the conference.

SIS Conferences

 

Held each spring, the Symposium is organized and run by SIS undergraduate students. If you have a research project that you would like to share with the SIS community, then the Annual SIS Undergraduate Research Symposium is the event for you! Join us for a day of enriching educational exchange where you will discuss a wide range of international affairs research from students in all of the SIS Undergraduate Program Thematic Areas, receive constructive feedback on your own research from SIS faculty members and graduate students, and have the experience of presenting in an academic conference setting.

The 2024 SIS Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024. Students from across the SIS Undergraduate Thematic Areas will present their research to SIS students, faculty, staff, and alums in panel discussions held in the SIS Abramson Family Founders Room and in a poster session held in the SIS Atrium.

Email us at sisugsymposium@gmail.com to volunteer to assist in organizing the Symposium or to request additional information on the annual SIS tradition.

Each spring, some of the best student researchers from various sections of SISU 306: Advanced International Studies Research are selected to showcase their research projects in a poster conference, held in the SIS Atrium. For many SIS students, the SISU 306 Poster Conference is the first step in taking their research beyond the classroom and engaging in the broader scholarly dialogue on their topics. Students have the chance to discuss their research with students, faculty, and staff from the entire AU community. Many of the presenters then use these projects, and the feedback they receive, as the basis for a Boren or Fulbright application, as the starting point for a further independent research project, or as the basis for a presentation or publication with an external outlet. The SISU 306 Poster Conference is an excellent opportunity to meet students and faculty who share your research interests and to see what your colleagues are researching. 

Other Conferences

Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Posters on the Hill

This poster session, dedicated to undergraduate research across a range of disciplines, is held on Capitol Hill each spring with the goal of helping members of Congress understand the importance of undergraduate research by creating a venue in which Congress members can talk directly with the students whom these programs impact.

More on CUR application deadline and other information

Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA)

Held annually in mid-Spring, this is one of the American Political Science Association's regional conferences that is open to undergraduate research.

More details on the MPSA conference

Old Dominion University Research Conference

Held each spring, the conference is hosted by the Graduate Program in International Studies at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Abstracts from all programs including economics, communications, humanities, history, public administration and business studies are welcome.

Find out more on the Old Dominion University Conference

Southwestern Social Science Association (SSSA)

The SSSA hosts an annual meeting in various locations each spring. Submissions are welcome from numerous fields, including Anthropology, Economics, History, International Studies, Political Science, And Sociology. Please refer to the "Annual Conference" tab and their "Call for Papers" sections for more detailed information.

More on the SSSA

Walsh Exchange

Held in the cosmopolitan hub of Washington, D.C., the Walsh Exchange is an annual conference dedicated to promoting innovative undergraduate research in international relations by students around the world. The conference provides students with an opportunity to formally present their original research and receive constructive feedback from experienced scholars and professors, fellow panelists, and guests alike.

Find out more on the Walsh Exchange

Wheatley International Affairs Conference

Held annually in the spring, this conference hosted by the Wheatley Institution at Brigham Young University brings students in contact with international affairs experts and practitioners for a series of roundtable discussions dedicated to analyzing and developing recommendations for U.S. foreign policy on a range of topics. Participants must be selected by their host institution (direct applications to the conference are not accepted).

Get more information on the Wheatley International Affairs Conference

American Economic Association

Several economics associations invite undergraduates to present essays at their annual meetings. The AEA maintains a list of these conferences with links to their website.

Find out more on AEA opportunities

Annual Claremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union

This annual conference is focused on enhancing undergraduate training in and knowledge of the European Union and US-European relations. Students may pursue a wide range of topics that reflect their interest, expertise, and past research. Topics may deal with any aspect of European integration or transatlantic relations. Students will present and discuss their research in a panel format. At the conclusion of the conference, faculty participants will nominate and select the “best papers” of the conference. Selected papers will be published in a special volume of conference proceedings. In addition, the EU Center of California and the EU Center of Excellence at Berkeley at UC Berkeley, will be offering awards for the top two papers with summer study tours to Europe. There are no conference fees for up to two authors per paper. The Center will cover hotel room + tax for 2 nights and conference meals for accepted participants. Participants are responsible for travel.

Find out more on deadlines and other details

European and Eurasian Undergraduate Research Symposium

The Undergraduate Research Symposium (formerly "Europe: East and West") is an annual event since 2002 designed to provide undergraduate students, from the University of Pittsburgh and other colleges and universities, with advanced research experiences and opportunities to develop presentation skills. The event is open to undergraduates from all majors and institutions who have written a research paper from a social science, humanities, or business perspective focusing on the study of Eastern, Western, or Central Europe, the European Union, Russia, or other countries of the former Soviet Union. The Symposium is held on the University of Pittsburgh-Oakland campus. After the initial submission of papers, selected participants are grouped into panels according to their research topics. Participants then give 10- to 15-minute presentations based on their research to a panel of faculty and graduate students. The presentations are open to the public. Please email gbpeirce@pitt.edu for more information.

More details on symposium

Society for Military History Annual Conference

The Society for Military History hosts an annual conference. In addition, the SMH homepage links to other chapters’ conferences and event themes. There are various events happening across the country. SMH’s call for papers page provides information about all of the events, themes, and proposal submission deadlines.

More on the Society for Military History Conference

Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society

The Phi Alpha Theta presents special programs at the annual meetings of the American Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, the Southern Historical Association, the Western History Association, the Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association, the Missouri Valley Historical Conference, the Southwestern Social Sciences Association, and many state Historical associations. Phi Alpha Theta sponsors paper sessions at many of these professional conferences, enabling students to present their research and receive critical evaluation from faculty from a wide variety of institutions of higher learning.

More on the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society