Research Days

This research showcase happens each fall and spring semester on the last day of classes (day before Reading Day.) We invite poster presentations from students who engaged in a course-based undergraduate research experience, as well as students receiving individual mentorship as part of a program, capstone experience, or honors-by-contract. We encourage students across disciplines and at various points in their projects to present their work in this public venue.

• Spring 2025: Poster presentations will be held during Spring Research Day on Tuesday, May 6 in Memorial Union.
  • Course-based Undergraduate Research: Instructors should email Sarah Humfeld (humfelds@missouri.edu) by April 4 to request participation for students in your course.
  • Individual student researchers: Registration by April 4. Portal coming in late January!
• Fall 2025: Poster presentations will tentatively be held during Fall Research Day on the afternoon of Thursday, December 11 in Memorial Union.
  • Course-based Undergraduate Research: Instructors should email Sarah Humfeld (humfelds@missouri.edu) by November 14 to request participation for students in your course.
  • Individual student researchers: Registration must be received by noon on November 14.

For guidance on poster printing, visit our ‘How to Design a Research Poster‘ page. Check our Events page in MU Engage for workshops relating to research communication.

Research & Creative Achievements Forum

The Summer Forum, held at the end of July, is for undergraduate students (visiting and those who call Mizzou home) to present their work.

The Forum is geared towards student research and creative scholarly activities that may be multi-semester projects, senior honors/capstone projects, or other faculty-mentored scholarly activities. Every semester, hundreds of students from a variety of disciplines across campus participate. Projects are typically shared in a ‘display’ format such as a poster. The Forum is not only for STEM students: students in art, humanities and the social sciences are invited and encouraged to present their projects and scholarly activities.

To learn more about what it takes to present at the Forum, visit our “Applying to the Forum” page.

Undergraduate Visual Art & Design Showcase

All Mizzou undergraduate students are invited to submit expressive art, applied design, or other creative projects to the Visual Art & Design Showcase. The art/design projects need NOT be class projects, but may be something the student has created on their own. Mentorship from a faculty instructor with expertise in the creative discipline is required, but the mentor does not need to be involved every step of the way. All projects must have a visual element central to the work. The Visual Art & Design Committee will select projects for display as part of the Showcase, and have final approval of projects and display requests.

In-person viewing of the 2025 Visual Art & Design Showcase will take place at the Columbia Art League between April 7-18. The submission deadline for projects will be February 19, 2025.

Visit the 2024 Visual Art & Design Showcase

Spring Symposium

Formerly known as the Spring Forum, this centerpiece of Show Me Research Week is a campus-wide venue for undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows to share their scholarly work with the Mizzou community. Scholars may present during a poster or oral session. Learn more about Show Me Research Week here.

Undergraduate Juried Art Exhibition

Coordinated by the MU School of Visual Studies, this exhibit features artwork in a variety of mediums including painting, fibers, photo, ceramics, sculpture, graphic design, and more by MU undergraduate students. Organizers are grateful for the support provided by the award sponsors: Resident Arts, the Moreland Family, the Offices of Undergraduate Studies & Undergraduate Research, and the School of Visual Studies.

Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

Hosted by the University of Missouri System, undergraduate researchers demonstrate to lawmakers in Jefferson City the unique opportunities undergraduate students have to participate with faculty in research at the University of Missouri. To learn more click here.

These are only a couple of the national conferences available to which students present. Each discipline holds regional, national and international conferences about which we recommend you speak with your mentor. Some offer scholarships, or some form of grant for student presenters.

If you do present at a conference, be sure to inquire about what the poster size should be and any other expectations/parameters that are set. Your mentor should be able to assist you with these.

National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)

The mission of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) is to promote undergraduate research scholarship and creative activity done in partnership with faculty or other mentors as a vital component of higher education.

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)

The Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), is one of the largest communities of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students attend this conference to present their research, explore graduate schools, and network. Research faculty and program directors play an essential role in mentoring students and strategies for facilitating student success.

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans (SACNAS)

The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans (SACNAS) is the largest broadly multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity conference in the country. Through their Keynote Speakers, multidisciplinary sessions, exhibit hall, 1,000+ student research presentations, and cultural events, the SACNAS conference consistently provides a unique intersection of cutting-edge science, community, and opportunity. Find the Mizzou chapter of SACNAS in MU Engage.