Oxford Hosts 13th Annual Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference for 233 Student Presenters
On November 8-9, 233 undergraduate student researchers from colleges and universities across Georgia gathered on Oxford’s campus for the 13th annual Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC).
Daniel Walter
From this group, 39 presenters attend Emory University’s College of Arts and Sciences and 18 more are from Oxford College.
“GURC was founded to promote original student scholarship conducted with faculty and staff mentors in all fields of research and creative activities,” says Daniel Walter, GURC 2024-2025 president and associate professor of German and linguistics at Oxford. This year’s conference program included an opening address by Ken Carter, director of Oxford’s Center for Public Policy and Engagement and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology, who invited students “to celebrate the thrill of discovery, the power of creativity, and the joy of shared learning.”
“Undergraduate research provides a window into the rigor and commitment it takes to create new knowledge, and an opportunity to put yourself on a project that pushes the boundaries of current human understanding,” Walter says. “I don't think there is any other experience quite like asking questions that have yet to be answered or trying to find answers to questions that no one has asked before.”
“By translating our academic scholarship to the public sphere, we can lead the conversation on some of the most important questions and issues of our time. That means that the seeds you are planting here today can have a real impact in our increasingly complex global community.”
Keynote Speaker Tasha Dobbin-Bennett Inspires Future Student Research
Tasha Dobbin-Bennett
In a workshop built on the theme of connectedness to the world beyond campus, student researchers gained practical advice on crafting resumes from Bridgette Gunnels, associate dean and director of Oxford’s Center for Pathways and Purpose. As a scholar in Latin American literature from the twentieth century, she shared insight into her own research journey and provided tips to participants on how to showcase their work.
In the keynote address by Tasha Dobbin-Bennett, associate professor of art history and studio art, student researchers were encouraged to continue the path to discovery. Dobbin-Bennett shared examples from her own experience researching her wide-ranging interests in art, anthropology, and museum practices. "Research is an exercise in optimism. It is the actualization of the hope that we carry when we begin our research. An exercise in optimism is fueled by our creativity, which in turn drives us to be more curious."
This year, research topics from Oxford students ran the gamut from Delta 8-THC Use Among Young Adults: Patterns, Perceptions, and Effects to Does an Interdisciplinary Educational Approach Affect Scientific Identity and Belonging?
Student Victoria Cheng worked with Associate Professor of Biology Michael Martin and fellow student researchers Inesha Gupta and Kaela Moscati to determine carbon sequestration in the Oxford College Forest, collecting data from trees within a 5-meter radius from the trail. During the poster presentation, she met a fellow researcher. “It was really interesting to see how our research overlapped.”
Oxford student researchers, from left to right, are Lucas Friggle, Viraj Shivadevuni, and Chris Abruzzo.
Oxford’s Lucas Friggle, Viraj Shivadevuni, and Chris Abruzzo conducted a survey analyzing the responses of 190 participants regarding their experiences and use of Delta-8 THC under the direction of Associate Professor of Psychology Jennifer McGee. “We made valuable connections and received great feedback from other attendees about our survey and poster,” Friggle says, “which will help us improve both our current and future research.”
“My own undergraduate summer research opportunity ignited a passion for academic inquiry, and the connections I made with my professor and fellow students shaped the trajectory of my career.”
Networking with peers, colleagues, and mentors is also a vital part of the conference for students and faculty members alike. In her welcome remarks, Oxford Dean Badia Ahad pointed out, “The Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference is more than just a venue for learning how to showcase your work; it’s a place that can open doors to new ideas, collaborations, and future opportunities. Whether you're considering graduate school, exploring career paths, or simply broadening your horizons, this gathering serves as a springboard for the kind of intellectual and personal growth that shapes successful careers.”
To participate, students were invited to submit an abstract for consideration in August for original research, performances, or artwork. To learn more about the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference and how you can apply to take part in the 2025 conference, please write to GURC@emory.edu.
2024 GURC Gallery
