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Virtual Student Research & Community Engagement Symposium

2020 Student Symposium 

The 23rd annual Student Research & Community Engagement Symposium was held virtually for the first time in its history! 

Open to all UMass Lowell undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, this university-wide event is an opportunity for students to share their research, service learning project, study abroad experience, creative works and other academic endeavors with fellow students, faculty, deans and department chairs and the extended UMass Lowell community. Normally a one-day, on-campus event held at University Crossing, due to the circumstances related to COVID-19, the 2020 Symposium migrated to a virtual platform and transitioned to a week-long event.

A resounding success, the Virtual Symposium featured one hundred six 90-second presentation videos hosted on the UMass Lowell Student Symposium YouTube Channel, attracting more than 20,000 views during the 3-day viewing period. Presentation videos showcased a range of content presented by undergraduate students representing more than 30 majors and graduate students representing nearly 20 doctoral programs. Watch the winning presentation videos and listen to the Awards Webinar.


Virtual Symposium Format

The virtual symposium had three components:

Part One - Student Symposium YouTube Channel

Organized by college using YouTube Playlists, the 90-second videos were available for public viewing from April 27-April 29, 2020. Viewers posed questions and posted comments on individual presentation videos with student presenters replying throughout the viewing period. Viewers had the opportunity to vote for their Fan Favorite presentation video using the YouTube "like" feature. When voting, viewers were asked to consider the key areas of the judging rubric: Purpose, Context, Audience, Speaking Performance, and Content & Design of the presentation video. 

Part Two - Presentation Video Finalists

Approximately 60 presentation videos advanced to the finalist round, where each video was reviewed and scored by members of UMass Lowell judging panels. Each presentation video was scored using the Symposium judging rubric. An average score was calculated for each presentation video to determine the undergraduate and/or graduate winners from each college. 

Part Three - Winners Announced!

Student finalists and their project advisors were invited to the Virtual Student Symposium Awards Webinar held on May 1 when the winners from each college were announced. Watch the winning presentation videos and the Awards webinar. 

Three young women stand in front of poster

Abstract Process & Guidelines

Students who wish to present in the Virtual Student Symposium must submit an abstract (up to 250 words) using the online submission portal.

Read more about the abstract submission process.

Young black man stands in front of research poster

90-second Presentation Videos

Student presenters will share their projects as 90-second presentation videos. Presentation videos will be hosted on the UMass Lowell Virtual Student Symposium YouTube Channel from April 27-April 29.

Read more about the 90-second video presentation process and guidelines.

Young woman listen intently to person in foreground

Public Viewing & Voting on Student Presentation Videos & Virtual Student Symposium Awards Webinar

Student Presentation Videos will be available for public viewing from April 27-29 on the UML Virtual Student Symposium YouTube Channel. Viewers will have an opportunity to vote on each video presentation using a judging rubric. Winners will be announced during an Awards Webinar.

Read more about the video viewing & voting and the Awards Webinar.

Student Research