View the full list of 2023 Student Symposium winners.
Thank you to all the students who participated in the competition and the faculty, staff, alumni and partners who helped create another successful event.
The student presentation videos will continue to be available on the UMass Lowell (UML) Student Symposium YouTube channel. We hope to see everyone again next year!
The 26th annual Student Research and Community Engagement Symposium was held as a multi-staged competition with the final round and awards ceremony at University Crossing on Monday, April 24, 2023.
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 projects, study abroad experiences, creative works and other academic endeavors with fellow students, faculty, deans and department chairs and the extended UMass Lowell community. Students may enter the competition as a team or as individuals.
April 5: Students entered the competition by submitting a video of no more than 3 minutes describing their projects. These videos were available for public viewing and voting from April 5 to the day of the Symposium on April 24. A team designated by each college dean selected a certain number of finalists proportional to the number of submissions from their college to continue to the next round.
April 24: Finalists selected to proceed to Round 2 participated in an in-person Question and Answer (Q&A) session with a panel of 3-5 judges. The judges asked probing questions to learn more about the finalists’ projects and their challenges, solutions, impact, etc.
April 24: The competition culminated in an awards ceremony for friends, family and community members to enjoy. All competition winners were announced at the ceremony.
The number of winners from each college was proportional to the number of submissions. Each college awarded at least one undergraduate and one graduate student or team as winners. Individual submission winners receive $300. Team submission winners each receive $600 to be split amongst the team.
In addition, each college recognized at least one “Fan Favorite” winner based on the number of likes on YouTube and input from judges. Fan Favorite winners receive $150 as both individuals and teams.
Students who wish to participate in the Student Symposium must submit an abstract (up to 250 words). Abstracts must be approved by project advisors. Please submit your abstract as soon as possible (the sooner you submit your abstract, the more time you may have to create your video). Though you need abstract approval before submitting a video, it may be prudent to begin working on your video while your advisor reviews your abstract.
Read more about the abstract submission process.
Abstracts are not currently being accepted for the 2024 Student Symposium.
Videos may not exceed 3 minutes. We encourage students to be creative with their videos (i.e. using different formats such as multiple slides, demos, interviews, animations, etc.) as long as they demonstrate their projects effectively. Once your abstract is approved, you will receive the link to submit your video.
Finalists selected to proceed to Round 2 will be asked to participate in an in-person Question and Answer (Q&A) session with a panel of judges. Be sure to review your work and come prepared to further explain your project and answer clarifying questions.
