URFA, formally known as the Phi Kappa Phi Student Research and Fine Arts Conference, is an opportunity for all undergraduate students of Augusta University to showcase their scholarly and artistic endeavors. The conference is jointly sponsored by CURS, Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, and the Summerville Interdisciplinary Research Office.
The conference program will be made available as a Special Issue of the Arsenal, Augusta University's Undergraduate Research Journal.
SAVE THE DATE: April 2, 2025
Summerville Campus Jaguar Student Activities Center
URFA 2025 Abstract Acceptance Window: January 7 - February 3, 2025 (11:59 pm)
Details about presentation types, time limits, formatting, technology, and due dates.
**Please note, the "submit an abstract" form will not accept submissions until January 7.
Outline of the day's posters and presentations - Coming soon!
Sign up to be a judge or moderator (faculty and graduate students) or help the day of the conference (undergraduates).
The conference will allow several platforms for research, creative, and scholarly works. Please select the type of presentation(s) in which you wish to be considered. Students may request to participate in multiple sessions as long as the scholarship is different for each one. There is no limit to the number of submissions, however, each submission must be unique. For example, you may present your Criminal Justice research on a poster and also request to participate in a piano performance. Based upon space or time constraints, authors may be asked to modify presentation type well in advance of the conference.
Create a poster that can be viewed by an interdisciplinary audience and prepare to discuss your poster to visitors during your assigned browsing session. All student authors should be present at this time and prepared to discuss the project and answer questions. Judges will evaluate your poster, knowledge of the subject matter, delivery, and ability to answer questions. Evaluation rubrics will be provided to authors prior to the conference.
Oral presentations will be assigned a room and block of time to be present. All presenters should plan to be in the room for the entirety of the assigned session. Each presenter will be given 12 minutes, plus 3 minutes for Q/A. Students may use PowerPoint or other visual aids if desired. Judges will evaluate the talk, knowledge of the subject matter, delivery, and ability to answer questions. Evaluation rubrics will be provided to authors prior to the conference.
Students may showcase forms of art such as digital arts, paintings, drawings, sculptures, mixed media, textiles, and more to represent your art. All exhibitors are required to be present during the assigned session. Student artists should be prepared and available to explain their process and methods to viewers at the showing.
Students will prepare a 15 minute presentation including an introduction (up to approximately 3 minutes). This session may include (but not limited to) vocal, instrumentation, theater, or dance performances.
This presentation engages students to effectively explain their research (to an interdisciplinary audience) within 4 minutes utilizing 4 slides. Students should use no more than 20 printed words on the 4 slides. Moderators will time the presentations and the 4-minute limit will be enforced.
When is the 2025 URFA Conference?
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from ~10:30 am to ~6:00 pm.
How can I present at the URFA Conference?
CURS will put out a Call for Abstracts in early January. There are five presentation types: poster presentation, oral presentation, visual arts showcase, performance art showcase, and 4x4 Research Pitch Competition. All abstracts be approved by your faculty mentor prior to submission.
What is the poster presentation?
Undergraduate researchers can present their work in the form of a research posters. Students display their work in a session ranging from 50-75 minutes. Presenters will answer questions and present their work to conference attendees during this time. A moderator will be available for questions and assistance. The poster session is judged. **Posters can be no larger than 32x36 inches.**
What is the oral presentation?
Undergraduate researchers can present their work in the form of an oral presentation. Typically there are 3-5 presentations per session. Oral presentations are typically 10-12 minutes with built in time for questions. A moderator will introduce each student and ensure the session runs on time. The oral presentations are judged.
What is the 4x4 presentation?
Undergraduate researchers can present their work in the form of the 4x4 presentation. Students must effectively explain their research to an interdisciplinary audience in 4 minutes utilizing 4 slides. The slides should be incredibly visual, with a limit of 20 words on the 4 slides. A moderator will introduce each student and ensure presentations fall within the time limit. The 4x4 is judged.
What is the Performance Showcase?
The Performance Showcase is an opportunity for students to share musical, dance, theatrical performances with the AU community. Special equipment/ location needs must be shared in the Abstract Submission. Performers will be expected to provide a 2-4 minute introduction to the piece including how the piece was generated, it's preparation, and significance.
What is the Visual Arts Showcase?
The Visual Arts Showcase is an opportunity for students to share artwork of paintings, sculpture, photography, printing and short films. Artists will be expected to provide a 2-4 minute introduction to the piece including how the piece was generated, it's preparation, and significance. If you have questions about presentation or set up options, please contact CURS.
How will I know if my research is accepted to the conference?
All accepted students will receive a letter of acceptance by email. This letter will explain all requirements for presenters and will include a schedule of presentations.
Can undergraduate students who are not enrolled at AU present?
At this time, presenters are limited to Augusta University undergraduates or graduates within the last 6 months. Other students, family members and community members are welcome to attend the event.
Can graduate students of AU participate?
Students who graduated from AU with a Bachelor’s degree in the recent fall term (the most recent December commencement) are welcome to present with approval from their mentor. Students who are current AU graduate students should look into the Graduate Research Day. Graduate students ARE eligible for judging or moderating the URFA sessions. Questions should be submitted to CURS @augusta.edu.
Are there prizes for participation?
Yes! Each session will have a certificate awarded to the top presentation author(s). Additionally, there will be cash prizes for the Best Poster, Oral, and 4x4 Showdown Presentations.
Does it cost to participate in URFA?
No. There are no registration fees to participate in URFA.
Will CURS print my poster for the conference?
Unfortunately, no we do not have the resources to print all the posters for URFA. Each presenter is responsible for printing their own poster prior to the conference. We can recommend University Copy and Print Center and the Center for Instruction and Innovation as on campus printing options. **Posters can be no larger than 32x36 inches.**
Does my 4x4 presentation need to be sent to CURS or on a flash drive?
The 4x4 presentations will be emailed to CURS@augusta.edu or submitted to a shared box folder.
Can I present in the 4x4, oral, and poster presentation?
Only if the research/scholarship being presented is different from each other. A separate submission must be made for each presentation type.
Can my research group present as a team?
Yes. If your research group includes three people, all three students can present in the oral and poster presentation. However, the 4x4 is an individual presentation.
Can I choose my session?
The URFA Conference is intentionally interdisciplinary and welcomes participation from all disciplines. This means that scheduling is a detailed and complex process. We cannot accommodate personal schedules. Faculty, Mentors and Students should all be sure to plan ahead so that you can attend the full conference and support students engaging in co-curricular research.
Printing Options:
Class Attendance Assignments:
Faculty may download and use these mini assignments for classes attending the conference. Feel free to use or modify questions to fit the objectives of your course. If you add questions or assignments, please share with CURS!
