Call for Abstracts—The Graduate Student Research Conference

Call for Abstracts—The Graduate Student Research Conference

Call for abstracts open until July 27!

The Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association (AUGSA) and the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) are excited to announce the call for abstracts is now open for the 2021 Graduate Student Research Conference (GSRC), taking place virtually on October 1-2, 2021.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Then, Now, and Expanding Possibilities,” marks the 10th anniversary of this event, and celebrates its past achievements, while opening new horizons for a bright future for graduate student research at Athabasca University.

Current AU graduate students and recently graduated alumni are invited to submit an abstract for the conference. We are also excited to announce that this year we will be accepting undergraduate abstract submissions with the top three being invited to present at the conference. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three graduate submissions and the top three undergraduate abstract submissions.

Over the last ten years, many AU students have expressed that this conference has given them the opportunity to present their research to a broader academic audience, receive relevant feedback, and improve their public speaking skills.

“Participating in the research conference was a great opportunity to build confidence in my presentation skills and also gain buy-in for my research. It also gave me the opportunity to network with other researchers where I was able to ask questions and learn from other students,” said Brittany Hollett, 2021 GSRC People’s Choice Award Winner.

The GSRC is an opportunity for students to share their ideas and receive critical reviews of their work in a supportive, yet scholarly, environment. The conference typically hosts over 100 registrants which includes students, faculty, and team members from across AU.

True to our tradition, once again this year, we encourage submissions from all disciplines, whether the research is completed or underway. We also strongly encourage new graduate students who have not started their own research to attend and join in on the fun.

Abstracts can be submitted in the following formats:

  • Virtual paper presentations: 15-minute presentation, followed by a five-minute question period.
  • Virtual poster presentations: 5-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer period.

The abstract submission deadline is July 27, 2021. Visit the 2021 GSRC website for more information about the conference or how to get involved.