Celebrating the 5th Annual Student Research and Creative Work Symposium

For the fifth year, St. John Fisher College will celebrate students excelling with their own independent projects during the annual Student Research and Creative Work Symposium. Undergraduate and graduate student scholars will begin sharing their work on Wednesday, April 28.

The symposium aims to recognize all forms of independent research, creative projects, papers, live panel sessions, internship experience work, or study abroad opportunities by promoting conversations across a variety of disciplines, departments, and schools.

Through the virtual event, students will have a chance to improve their digital literacy and communication skills as they create and deliver their presentations to the College community.

Dr. Kristin Picardo, director of the Center for Student Research and Creative Work and associate CORE director, believes the digital event will allow visitors and presenters to interact easier and learn from students’ great work.

“An essential part of the research process is to disseminate your work, and this event brings us all together to engage, learn, and ask more questions as a community of lifelong learners. We hope this year’s event will see a full slate of student work showcasing their energetic perseverance and their commitment to the learning process despite the difficult times,” she said. “This year, with a fully virtual public symposium, we are excited to invite alumni, parents, and friends of the College to enjoy learning from our student presenters.”

Student research has seen tremendous growth since the creation of the Center for Student Research and Creative Work in 2016. Since the Center’s inception, 111 students have participated in the Summer Fellows Research Program and over 180 students have participated in conferences and events over the past four years. Additionally, more than 800 students have participated in the symposium in the past four years. Three faculty members, Dr. Bruce Blaine, Dr. Kristen Picardo, and Dr. Sara Goodman, serve as elected councilors with the Council on Undergraduate Research, a national organization that supports and promotes high-quality undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative work.

In summer 2020, the Center also reached a milestone achievement with 18 percent of its budget covered through external funds including donations, competitive grants, and foundation support.

“We hope to continue to grow opportunities for student research in the summer through grants as well as through donations from alumni and friends of the College,” Picardo said.

Interested in participating in the symposium? Submissions are due Monday, April 19 at midnight. To submit your symposium application, fill out the simple online form.