Presenters
Reasons to Participate
- Gain experience presenting your ideas, findings, or experiences in a formal yet supportive setting.
- Exchange ideas with other undergraduate scholars.
- Receive feedback from faculty members and peers in your field.
- Enhance your résumé, including your professional online profile.
Undergraduate students from public colleges and universities in Massachusetts are encouraged to present on any topic of interest in their academic studies. For some, this may be traditional, scientific research. For others, this could include learning and discoveries in areas such as comparative literature, religion, mathematics, public health, education, and more.
In addition, the presentation topic could be derived from:
- Thesis research
- Creative work in the visual and performing arts
- Course assignment
- Independent study
- Community service
- Study abroad experience
Research in-progress may be presented so that feedback may guide or improve a project.
A collection of tools and videos to assist students who are presenting their research, individually or in a group, at the Massachusetts Undergraduate Research conference
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PRESENT
All undergraduate students enrolled at any of the 28 public colleges or universities within Massachusetts – UMass campuses, state universities, or community colleges - are eligible to submit abstracts and present.
Each Presenter is required to have a Faculty Sponsor who is willing to assist them in writing their abstract, review and approve the abstract submission, and provide support in preparation for their presentation.
WAYS TO PRESENT
Video Presentation
To participate in the virtual conference, all students will need to submit a video recording of their presentation, which will be added to the MassURC event app in advance of the event date.
Accepted video format: each presentation video can only be accepted as a web-based link from a video hosting platform, for example, Zoom, YouTube, Vimeo.
Submitting videos: a web-based link to each presentation video must be added to the MassURC submission system between Friday, March 26, and Monday, April 12, 2021.
Maximum presentation length: 12 minutes.
Individual or Group Presentation
Once the presentation topic is determined, students need to decide whether it makes sense to present as an individual or as part of a group.
- Individual Presentation: you will submit and present individually, and only you and your Faculty Sponsor’s names will be identified in conference materials
- Group Presentation: you will submit and present with at least one other student, and the names of all students in your group along with your Faculty Sponsor’s will be identified in conference materials
2020 MassURC Presenters
Important information for students who would like to resubmit their accepted 2020 abstract and present in 2021
If you submitted a proposal for the 2020 MassURC and would like to present the same research at the 2021 virtual conference, we will automatically accept your previously approved abstract under the following conditions:
- You are enrolled at one of the twenty-eight public colleges or universities within Massachusetts.
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Note: The MassURC system will only recognize abstracts with the same presenter email address. If you have transferred your enrollment to another public school within Massachusetts since submitting your abstract for the 2020 conference, please send an email requesting resubmission directly to conference@honors.umass.edu.
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The faculty sponsor re-confirms their support for your research to be presented in 2021.
SUBMITTING AN ABSTRACT
An abstract is a brief, written synopsis of the topic being presented. It highlights the major points covered while concisely describing the content and scope of the work. The abstract should be a maximum of 250 words.
When a student “Submits an abstract,” they have registered in the MassURC online system and submitted an abstract with presentation details for review. The Faculty Sponsor then needs to approve for acceptance to present.
When and How to Submit an Abstract
Steps to submit your abstract:
- Create a user account in the MassURC registration system which opens Wednesday, December 16, 2020
- Confirm your account by checking your email
- Log back into the system to complete all steps for abstract submission (Note: you can save your abstract information and return to it before submitting)
- Click Submit abstract when you are ready for your Faculty Sponsor to review
Only when you click the “Submit” button will your Faculty Sponsor be notified that your abstract is ready and have access to review. If you do not submit by the March 1, 2021 deadline, you will be ineligible to present at MassURC.
Once you submit your abstract:
- Your Faculty Sponsor will receive an email notification through the MassURC system and will be able to follow the provided link to review your abstract and either mark it “Approved” or “Needs Revisions.”
- Your Faculty Sponsor has until Monday, March 8, 2021, to review and mark the abstract.
- If your abstract status is “Needs Revisions,” you have until Thursday, March 11, 2021, to make any necessary revisions and re-submit your abstract to your Faculty Sponsor to do a final review.
- Your final abstract must be marked "Approved" by your faculty sponsor no later than Monday, March 15, 2021, for you to be eligible to present.
Once your Faculty Sponsor marks your abstract “Approved,” and you have confirmed all group members if you are presenting as a group, there is nothing further for you to do in the abstract submission process until the system re-opens to accept presentation video presentation URLs on Monday, March 29, 2021.
Note: Students are typically approved to make only one presentation during the conference.
2021 MassURC Important Dates
Wed, Dec 16
MassURC System opens for registration & submission
Mon, Mar 1
Presenter: Abstract Submission Deadline
Mon, Mar 8
Faculty Sponsor: Initial Review Deadline
Thu, Mar 11
Presenter: Abstract Revisions and Group Presentation Deadline
Mon, Mar 15
Faculty Sponsor: Final Approval Deadline
Mon, Mar 29
Abstract acceptance notice to presenters; System open for presenters to add their video presentation URL
Mon, Apr 12
Deadline for adding video presentation URL
Friday, April 23
CONFERENCE DAY
Names and contact information for the individual(s) from each of the 28 schools included in MassURC, who can assist students and faculty who have questions about the conference.
All students who present during MassURC must have a Faculty Sponsor who works directly with them to prepare their research, abstract, and presentation for the conference.
Students from across the state have the opportunity to present their Honors Thesis or research findings at the annual MassURC.