Abstract Format Overview

Oct. 3-Dec 7, 2022 | Abstract Portal Open
Jan. 5-10, 2023 | Notifications Sent to Abstract Authors

The submission system accepts two types of submissions as shown below.

• Student abstract submission
• Faculty-Administrator Network (FAN) abstract submission

Student Abstract Submission

Abstracts are typically 250-300 words and should not exceed 300 words. The submission form provides an opportunity to provide a link to additional online documentation, formulas, images, music files, etc.

Submission Discipline (Required)

Abstracts may be submitted under any of the disciplines or fields, as indicated in the NCUR 2023 Submission Disciplines list. Expand the Submissions Disciplines accordion list below for details.

Presentation Format (Required)

The following presentation formats and special session options will be available:

• Oral presentation (15-minute presentation with 5-minute Q&A discussion)
• Poster presentation (1-hour sessions)
• Roundtable: (1-hour session with four to five "lightning talks" followed by moderated discussion)
• Gallery: (visual arts display in UWEC Foster Gallery)
• Performance: (music, theatre or performance art works)
• Reading: (oral presentations of literary works)
• Film: (15 minutes for one or multiple works with a 5-minute discussion)
• Special Collaborative Artistic Projects:
  • NCUR Murals Project (see below)
  • Jazz Improvisation Expo (see below)
  • Original Music Composition Concert (see below)
  • Dramatic Reading or Original Scripts (see below)

Special Program Designation (Optional)

In addition to selecting a discipline or field, submitters will have the option of having their presentation highlighted in the program and considered for special sessions focusing on one of the following themes:

• Two-year Campus Researchers – This designation calls attention to research conducted at two-year institutions such as branch campuses of a comprehensive university, technical colleges, community colleges, or junior colleges. Students need not be currently enrolled in a two-year institution; work conducted prior to the transition to another institution or to employment is suitable.
• Sustainability – This designation calls attention to projects that reflect upon, consider, or address issues related to any and all aspects of sustainability: Economic, social, political, cultural, ethical, scientific, or spiritual.
• Equity/Diversity/Social Justice – This designation calls attention to projects for which EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) and/or social justice is a major focus area.
• Human Health and Wellness – This designation calls attention to scholarly and/or creative work that reflects the understanding and/or promotion of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual components of human health and wellbeing.
• Cross-disciplinary Artistic Submissions – This designation calls attention to arts projects that are connected to or otherwise highlight topics or disciplines outside the arts.

Special Collaborative Artistic Projects

NCUR 2023 will feature several on-site artistic performances and collaborative projects as described below:

• NCUR Murals Project: Pre-selected teams of students from multiple campuses will create murals in interior campus spaces. Participants will be selected and placed into teams based on portfolio submissions and information provided in the abstract. Selected students will receive a photograph and description of the assigned space and will submit a plan to an assigned faculty mentor in advance of the conference that is related in some way to one of the conference themes: Sustainability, Equity/Diversity/Social Justice, or Human Health and Wellbeing. Students will submit a link to an online portfolio. Abstracts (artist’s statements) should: i) Describe the influences on the artist’s work and a description of their artistic process, ii) Specify an interest or preference in any of the conference themes, and iii) state how their skills and experience will facilitate an effective group effort and an impactful final project.
• Jazz Improvisation Expo: Perform an improvisational solo at a “jam session” with a rhythm section provided by UWEC student musicians. Submissions should be in the form of a (link to a) video recording that demonstrates the performer’s ability to improvise over a blues progression or jazz standard. Submissions will be evaluated on technical aptitude as well as artistry. Abstracts (artist’s statements) should include: i) The piece they will play over, ii) Essential instrumentation needed for accompaniment, and iii) A brief description of the artistic process and/or major style influences.
• Original Music Composition Concert: UWEC ensembles will perform a concert of original compositions submitted by NCUR Participants. Students will submit a score and, if available, a recording of the original composition, which should be of no more than 10 minutes in length. Abstracts (artist’s statements) should include: i) A description of the piece and the artistic process, ii) required instrumentation.
• Dramatic Reading of Original Scripts: Short plays – 10 minutes maximum, written by NCUR participants. Playwrights either bring student actors to perform plays or alternatively, they will be performed by UWEC Theatre students. Abstracts (artist’s statements) should include: i) a description of the setting and theatrical motifs of work, ii) cast requirements. A full script will also be required.

Pre-Conference: WiSys Quick Pitch Competition (Optional)

Free Competition | Cash Prizes Awarded | Pre-Registration Required | Limited to 80 participants

Students may elect to additionally submit their project into consideration for the WiSys Quick Pitch competition.

The WiSys Quick Pitch competition is a chance for students to hone and deliver a high-quality, 3-minute oral summary of a research project and why it matters. This pre-conference event will be held from 12:30-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, and includes cash prizes for the best pitches in each category. Three winners will present their quick pitches to open at the distributed plenary speakers on Friday, April 14, 2023, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Training will be provided before the event.

• During abstract submission, students will need to indicate their interest in the Quick Pitch Competition. Abstracts are accepted from Oct. 3, 2022 – Nov. 30, 2022. Registration is limited to the first 80 students on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Interested students can expect to receive a description of the event and a confirmation of their acceptance into the Quick Pitch event by Dec. 15, 2022. 
• Students must be registered for NCUR 2023 by Feb. 28, 2023. There is no additional registration step for the Quick Pitch.
• Registered participants will receive Quick Pitch training materials from the Quick Pitch Committee via email by March 15, 2023.
• Registered participants will create their 3-minute quick pitch based on their NCUR Research and have an online practice session with a WiSys Quick Pitch Coach by April 1, 2023. 
• Registered participants will compete in a preliminary round on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 12:30-3:00 pm. 
• Winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 4:30-6:00 pm.
• Winners will deliver their Quick Pitches on Friday, April 14, 2023, as the opening presentation for the NUCR distributed keynote speakers.

WiSys Quick Pitch categories:

• Natural and Health Sciences & Engineering
• Social Sciences and Humanities
• Special focus theme: Sustainability.

Additional Information (Required)

The following additional information is required for student abstract submission:

• For each co-author or co-presenter: Name, institution and email address.
• Faculty mentor: Name, institution and email address.
• Campus undergraduate research coordinator: Name, title, institution, street address, phone number, email address.

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Pre-Conference: Mayo Clinic Health System Challenge
Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)

This pre-conference competition sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System and Medical College of Wisconsin places students into teams of five who will produce a proposal for actions to address social determinants of health in order to improve health and health outcomes within Mayo Clinic. Teams will be formed with an emphasis on geography, age, and study diversity.

• You must be registered for NCUR 2023.
• To be considered for the challenge, interested students will apply for the Mayo Clinic Health System SDoH Challenge by Feb. 28, 2023.
• Applications include the following information: Name, school, college, year in school and a brief explanation of the student’s interest in SDoH factors.
• 20 participants (and alternates) will be chosen from the applicants. Selected participants can expect to receive notification of selection and specific details for the Mayo Clinic Health System SDoH Challenge by March 15, 2023.
• Selected participants must confirm attendance by April 1, 2023. Alternates will be offered a spot if participants do not confirm by the deadline.
• Selected participants will compete in the Mayo Clinic Health System SDoH Challenge on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Winners will be recognized.
• All Mayo Clinic Health System SDoH Challenge participants will attend the luncheon on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

*limited to 20 participants chosen from applications submitted for this free pre-conference

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Faculty-Administrator Network (FAN) abstract submission

FAN sessions are professional development presentations, focused on models and strategies for establishing, enriching, and advancing high-quality undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry. Each FAN session is 50 minutes in length and could consist of one of three possible formats:

• Short talks: A session with several short presentations (10-12 minutes) followed by a discussion. Computer/presentation equipment available.
• Long Talks: A single-presentation session (35-40 minutes) followed by discussion. Computer/presentation equipment is available.
• Panel discussion: Participate as a member of a 3- to 5-member panel. Panelists present a lightning talk (3-5 minutes) and then participate in a moderated discussion. These are intended to be more conversational so the presentation of slides will be limited.

A FAN session proposal consists of a 250-300-word abstract submitted through the NCUR Registration Portal.  Abstracts should provide a brief overview of the topic and align with one of the following themes:

1. Enriching undergraduate research and creative inquiry in two-year colleges, and/or fostering collaboration with two-year colleges.
2. Expanding the participation of underrepresented groups in undergraduate research and creative inquiry.
3. Raising the profile of undergraduate research and creative inquiry in the arts (challenges and successes; also using creative presentation modalities for presenting research in any discipline).
4. Embedding undergraduate research and creative inquiry into courses and curricula.
5. Other themes, such as community partnerships, tracking and assessment, the impact of COVID-19, advocacy for undergraduate research and creative inquiry, etc.

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