NCUR 2024 Submission Guidelines

Abstract submissions are now closed.

The following information outlines the process for submitting an abstract to NCUR 2024. Abstract guidelines by discipline are below.

To present at NCUR 2024, you must submit an abstract by the abstract deadline. Abstract submission requires three steps:

1. Write your abstract following the appropriate guidelines for your discipline (see below). It is highly recommended that you complete your abstract before starting step #3.
2. Login or create a new CUR Account using your institutional email. Note: This account will be used for actions related to NCUR 2024 such as submitting an abstract, registering, etc. and includes basic information such as first name, last name, email address, password, etc.
3. Access the abstract submission form, fill out the required information, enter your abstract into the text box, review your submission, and press the submit button. Be sure to have all the required information available before you access the submission form to expedite the submission process (full details of the required information are shared below). You can save as you go and return to the site before final submission. Note: Only the primary presenter will be able to submit the final abstract.

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Submission Form Details:

1. Abstract Title (Use Title Case) (Word count: 0/30): (Example: The Effect of Preventative Methods on Wildfire Damage)
2. Author Line: Please enter any authors you would like to credit associated with your abstract (not all authors need to be attending presenters). The Primary presenter should be listed first followed by co-presenters and then any other contributor(s) you would like to credit (e.g. mentor, etc.). You will be asked to enter first name, last name, institutional email address, country/state – institution, department, school, or college, and major or professional title for each recognized co-author.
3. Abstract Text ONLY (Word count: 0/300): Submit your abstract text only (e.g. no title, authors, references, etc.). The main text of abstracts are usually 250-300 words and may not exceed 300 words. Bold, italics, underline, superscript and subscript are accepted. You may use UTF-8 or Unicode characters in your abstract. Latex is not supported at this time. Please proofread your abstract carefully and pay attention to grammar as the submitted text will be used in the final program and there will not be an opportunity for editing. See guidelines specific to different disciplines below.
4. Abstract Type: Student Abstract Submission or Mentor-Led Abstract Submission. New this year! The mentor-led sessions are intended for students, faculty, and/or staff to attend. Through these presentations, mentors share their invaluable insights, mentorship experiences, and research initiatives, illuminating the path for ambitious student researchers, inspiring ideas for other mentors who may attend, and celebrating the spirit of undergraduate research.
5. 1^st Choice Presentation Format (Student): Film, Visual Arts Displays, Oral Presentations, Performances, or Poster Presentations (see full descriptions below)
6. 2^nd Choice Presentation Format (Student): See options above
7. 1^st Choice Presentation Format (Mentor-Led): Oral Presentations, Narratives and Storytelling, or Poster Presentations. See full descriptions below.
8. 2^nd Choice Presentation Format (Mentor-Led): See options above
9. 1st Choice Presentation Theme (Mentor-Led): Mentors should choose the theme that best fits their presentation topic. See full descriptions below.
10. 2nd Choice Presentation Theme (Mentor-Led) (Optional): If your presentation could fit under a different theme, please indicate that here. See options above.
11. Discipline Area (see list of options below): If you are unsure of which subject to choose, please consult with your mentor to determine the best subject for your abstract.
12. URL (if applicable): There is space in the form to include a URL link to online documentation, formulas, images, music files, etc. in support of your submission.
13. Supplemental Materials (if applicable for visual art submissions): Three electronic files of sample artwork 
14. Primary Presenter: This is the primary presenter submitting the abstract and who plans to register for the conference and present (if accepted). You will be asked to provide your name, email, country/state – institution (ordered alphabetically by country/state), phone number, class level, and if you would like to be considered to serve as a moderator. Student researchers should be the ones to submit their abstracts rather than their mentor.
15. Co-Presenter(s) (Optional): This is a place where you can list the names of up to two co-presenters (if applicable). All co-presenters listed here must register separately for the conference. You will be asked to provide the name, email, and country/state – institution (ordered alphabetically by country/state) for each co-presenter added.
16. Mentor: A mentor should be a professor who is familiar with your work, who will advocate for you if contacted. Be sure to complete your mentor's information thoroughly and accurately, especially your mentor's email address. You will be asked to provide your mentor's name, email, and country/state – institution (ordered alphabetically by country/state)
17. Campus Coordinator: A campus coordinator should be someone in your office of undergraduate research or someone who will be coordinating the participation of all students across your campus for NCUR 2024. If you do not have an Office of Undergraduate Research or are unsure who to list, please consult with your mentor. You will be asked to provide your coordinator's name, email, country/state – institution (ordered alphabetically by country/state), title, address, and phone.

Important Information: 

• All abstracts must be submitted by the posted deadline(s). Please refer to the submission deadlines and make sure you submit your abstract accordingly. Notification decisions will be sent according to the posted schedule.
• Should your abstract be accepted, you will use your submission account to register for the conference. Registration will open with decision notifications. Listed co-presenters must also register.
• Up to two abstracts per primary presenter are permitted. Up to a maximum of two co-presenters may be listed on each submitted abstract. There is no limit on the number of abstracts where an individual is credited as a co-author.
• Abstracts will undergo a rigorous evaluation by a panel of expert volunteer reviewers. Abstract reviewers will evaluate submissions based on the criteria listed below and will assess overall merit within the context of the specific academic discipline.
• The title and author(s) of your abstract will appear EXACTLY as they are entered in the abstract submission form. Please double check punctuation, grammar, and spelling before submitting.
• Upon acceptance, your abstract will automatically be incorporated into the final program, which you may later reference for graduate school applications, resumes, CVs, etc.
• Follow the guidelines below when preparing your abstract. Select the discipline area option which is most appropriate.
• If you need assistance writing your abstract, please reach out to your institution’s writing center or office of undergraduate research. 

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NCUR 2024 Deadlines and Important Dates
All deadlines are 11:59pm PT unless otherwise noted – See the event homepage for a list of important deadlines and dates.

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Abstract Guidelines (by Discipline Area)

Abstract guidelines for humanities, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics:

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. 
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry.
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology.
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. 
5. Include text only (no images or graphics)
6. Be well-written and well-organized.

Abstract guidelines for visual arts:

* Given that the NCUR Abstract Guidelines ask for information that is not completely consistent with artistic practices, this is how the requirements should be translated. 

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. Provide an artist statement.
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. In the statement, cite your influences and inspirations: other established artists; movements that are referenced or serve as inspiration; political/ cultural/ social issues that the work responds to; personal events, adventures, medical diagnosis; etc.
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. What techniques were used?  It could be as basic as oil painting on primed canvas, or a more in-depth explanation of the experimental process.
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. What did you learn?  What was successful?  What are things to be addressed in future pieces?  How does this piece fit into your portfolio or future works?
5. Include text only (no images or graphics)
6. Be well-written and well-organized. If there are multiple areas covered with a unique influence that alters the interpretation of the work, speak more to one or two components of your “research” in depth:  was the work a response to Art History?  Or was the focus the experimental process? While it is assumed you will very briefly respond to all of these requirements, it is also expected that only a few will be the central focus of your statement.
   1. Visual Arts presenters are required to upload three examples of work. For works in progress, you may substitute images of the work being submitted with images of past works that are representative of the artwork to be exhibited at NCUR 2024.
   2. If a video or performance documentation, no sample should exceed 2 minutes.

Abstract guidelines for architecture:

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. What is it that you wish to study? This could be a building typology (i.e. the energy consumption of single family homes vs. duplex units or efficiency of one floor vs. two floor office) or it could be the evolution of a building typology, building material, building system, building technology, a place or an architectural theory.  
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. Describe why this research is relevant today.  What has changed, is changing, or is likely to change in the future and how might this change effect people, place, design aspirations, building technology, etc.?
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. How will you conduct the research (i.e. comparative, historic, evolutionary, inductive [analyze the observed phenomenon], deductive [verify an observed phenomenon], qualitative, experimental, simulation, case studies)
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. What do you expect the results to be or what do you expect to learn and what is likely to be the significance of your findings?
5. Include text only (no images or graphics). We recognizae this may be difficult when you are researching a “thing” in the built environment but do your best.
6. Be well-written and well-organized. Follow the script you have been given (#’s 1, 2, 3, & 4 above in this order).  Restate each topic and be specific in your response to each.  Use complete sentences (bullet points can be used following a statement but never alone). Read what you have written out loud to check to see if it sounds clear and concise.  Reread what you have written 24 hours later to identify typos, poor word usage, incomplete sentences, etc.  Read what have written to a friend and ask them if they can restate what you are proposing.  If you are the least bit uncertain take what you have written to the writing center.

Abstract guidelines for performing arts:

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. A statement discussing compositional or performance aspects of the work. Why did you compose this work or choose this work to perform? What aspects of music are you exploring?
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrates its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. How does the composition and/or performance advance the development of your creative output?
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. Provide a brief description of the musical work from a compositional or performative standpoint.
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. How did the composition of the work or preparation for the performance affect your musical understanding and output?
5. Include text only (no images or graphics). Include a link (box, google drive, dropbox, etc) to a recording of the work and a score of the work if required for performance.
6. Be well-written and well-organized.

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Student Presentation Format Options

Film (scheduled in a series of other presentations with a 12-minute presentation (to include sharing of the film) with 3 minutes of Q&A) (15-minute presentation): This category allows students to present research or creative projects through short film. Note: Please plan to pre-record the short film so it can be shared in a digital format during the presentation. The length of the film to be shared should fit within your presentation timeslot.

Visual Arts Displays (max size of 30-inch width x 40-inch height unrolled or unfolded for displaying on a wall and 20 inches width x 20 inch height x 20-inch depth for displaying a 3D piece on a pedestal) (scheduled to be on display during the Elevating the Arts on Monday): Students can showcase their research or creative projects through visual arts displays, which may include paintings, sculptures, photography, digital art, and other visual media. Note: Express mail shipping and insurance costs to and from the conference will be the responsibility of the presenter and specific instructions will be provided by our exhibit services manager as required by the convention center. Please consider standard shipping box sizes and weight restrictions when considering the piece (e.g. https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/packing/supplies/boxes.html or https://www.ups.com/us/en/shipping/how-to-ship-package.page). Link to CUR Artwork Display Agreement and Waiver. Link to NCUR_Student Visual Art Display Shipping Label To Advance Warehouse.

Oral Presentations (scheduled in a series of other presentations with a 12-minute presentation with 3 minutes Q&A) (15-minute presentation): These are traditional presentations where students present their research findings or projects to an audience using slides or other visual aids. Typically, each presenter is allotted a specific time slot for their talk, followed by a Q&A session.

Performances (scheduled in a series of other presentations with a 12-minute presentation (to include sharing of live version or recording of performance) with 3 minutes Q&A) (15-minute presentation): This category allows students to present research or creative projects through performances, such as musical performances, theatrical acts, dance routines, spoken word, or other artistic expressions. Note: If live performance is preferred, we encourage students to provide needed musicians, actors, dancers, readers, etc. as presenters and/or co-presenters as part of their submission since local talent is limited. Alternatively, please plan to pre-record the performance piece so it can be shared in a digital format during the presentation.

Poster Presentations (max size of 48" x 48") (included in a 50-minute poster session): Poster sessions involve displaying a visual representation of the research project on a large poster board including a mixture of text with tables, graphs, and pictures to present your findings in a visually interesting and accessible way. This will serve as a tool to prompt discussion with colleagues during a 50-minute poster session. Students stand by their posters to discuss their work with conference attendees and answer questions. Items typically included: Title, Authors, Abstract, Introduction, Materials & Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgments, and References.

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Mentor-Led Presentation Format and Theme Options

Formats:

Oral Presentations (scheduled in a series with a 15-minute presentation and five minutes of Q&A) (20-minute presentation) Share invaluable insights, mentorship experiences, and research initiatives, illuminating the path for aspiring student researchers.

Narratives and Storytelling (scheduled in a series with an eight-minute talk and two minutes of Q&A) (10-minute presentation) Multiple 10-minute presentations within a session. Presentations should be provocative, challenging, entertaining, and above all, interesting.

Poster Presentations (max size of 48" x 48") (included in a 50-minute poster session): Poster sessions involve displaying a visual representation of the research project on a large poster board including a mixture of text with tables, graphs, and pictures to present your findings in a visually interesting and accessible way. This will serve as a tool to prompt discussion with colleagues during a 50-minute poster session. Mentors stand by their posters to discuss their work with conference attendees and answer questions. Items typically included: Title, Authors, Abstract, Introduction, Materials & Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgments, and References.

Themes:

"Research Renaissance: Empowering Student Scholars Through Mentorship" - Explore the transformative impact of mentorship on student-led research projects. Learn how mentors guide, inspire, and elevate undergraduate scholars to achieve academic excellence and make meaningful contributions to their fields.

"Unleashing Curiosity: Mentor-Student Collaboration in Cutting-Edge Research" - Join us to witness the exciting synergy between mentor expertise and student curiosity. Discover how collaborative research ventures between mentors and students drive innovation and open new frontiers in diverse academic disciplines.

"From Classroom to Discovery: Mentor's Pathways to Undergraduate Research Success" - Dive into the journey of mentors as they share their experiences of turning classrooms/labs/the world into hubs of research exploration. Gain insights into their strategies for cultivating a vibrant research culture that empowers students to thrive academically.

"Cultivating Scholars: Mentorship and Student Research Excellence" - Witness the remarkable growth of undergraduate researchers under the guidance of dedicated mentors. Delve into the stories of students who have flourished as scholars and researchers due to the nurturing environment provided by mentors.

"Beyond Boundaries: Mentors-Student Partnerships in Solving Real-World Challenges" - Explore the profound impact of mentor-student partnerships in addressing global issues and local challenges. Learn how collaborative research initiatives create a powerful force for positive change in society, fostering a sense of purpose and social responsibility among students.

"Other" - Propose your own theme.

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Discipline Areas

If your area is not named below, or if more than one area applies, select the one most closely related to your work. Please review the entire list before choosing your area. 

Business and Entrepreneurship

• Business
• Economics

Education

• Education

Engineering and Architecture

• Architecture, Construction Management, and Interior Design
• Engineering

Health and Human Services

• Exercise Science and Nutrition
• Health and Human Development
• Nursing and Public Health
• Physical/Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology
• Social Work and Human Services

Humanities

• Art History
• English and Literature
• Film/Photography Studies
• Gender, Ethnicity, Diversity, or Cultural Studies
• History
• Linguistics and World Languages
• Philosophy, Ethics, and Religious Studies

Interdisciplinary Studies

• Interdisciplinary Studies

Mathematics and Computer Science

• Computer Science
• Mathematics

Natural and Physical Sciences

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science and Sustainability
• Geography/Geology
• Physics and Astronomy

Social Sciences

• Anthropology and Archaeology
• Communications
• Criminology/Criminal Justice
• Law and Legal Studies
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Visual and Performing Arts

• Dance
• Music
• Theatre/Drama
• Visual Arts

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