The 30th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
Friday, May 19, 2023, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) hosts the UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium, an annual event held in May, that offers hundreds of undergraduates the opportunity to present the results of their research or creative activities.
Join us for our 30th anniversary of recognizing UCI undergraduate students’ achievements. This year’s theme, Celebrating 30 Years: Tradition and Vision, honors this momentous occasion with some big changes from previous years. We encourage all UCI students, faculty, staff, community and corporate partners attend and celebrate with us!
The Call for Presenters is Open!
Call for Presenters
All undergraduate students who participated in a UCI faculty-mentored research project or creative activity within the last year are invited to register to present at this year’s Undergraduate Research Symposium. Receiving a UROP Award is not required to present; however, ALL students must register to present.
- Registration Deadline: Monday, April 17 at 11:59 pm.
- Symposium Date: Friday, May 19 from 11:00 am–5:00 pm at the UCI Bren Events Center. Explore the Schedule of Events. Attend and enjoy the full day of activities, regardless of presenter status. Win Amazon Gift Cards!
- Presentation Showcase: From May 16–18, Symposium week will kick off with three nights of select in-person oral presentations that celebrate insights, innovations, and inspiration.
- Presentation Options: Present a poster in person on May 19, create an oral presentation video, or do both. We will upload videos and digital posters to our website the week before the Symposium.
- Registration Materials: Student presenters must submit an abstract or project description. If you wish to be considered for an in-person oral presentation, you must also submit a three-minute video presentation for review. You will have until May 8 to revise your uploaded files and information.
- Review the Student Presenter Information for details and guidance on how to prepare.
Key Dates & Deadlines:
- April 3-14: Workshops on How to Prepare. Check the UROP Calendar in early spring quarter for dates/times.
- April 17: Registration Deadline. All presenters must register and include an abstract, profile image, and if applicable, oral presentation video. See Student Presenter Information for details.
- May 8: Deadline to submit all additional required materials and changes. If applicable, this may include project changes, a revised abstract, new video, and/or digital poster. See Student Presenter Information for details.
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General registration for non-presenter attendees will open in April and will be shared via email and on this page.
Highlights from the 2022 Symposium
We were excited to host over 500 presentations made by 765 undergraduate students in May 2022! Click on the image below to see student profiles and highlights of their presentations. We congratulate these student researchers and celebrate their accomplishments!
Corporate Engagement
The Undergraduate Research Symposium offers a unique way for Industry Colleagues to learn about UCI. Gain access to view all of the presentations and network with hundreds of students and faculty from across campus. Sponsor and speaking opportunities are also available. For more information, visit our Corporate Relations website.
Why Undergraduate Research Is Important
- We believe that engaging in the research process is one of the best ways for students to discover their interests and proceed with confidence into their future.
- We encourage all UCI students to get involved in research because it helps them gain valuable skills regardless of the type of profession or academic undertakings they wish to pursue after graduation.
- We encourage students to take an active role in their academic development. The success of the annual UROP Undergraduate Symposium proves that empowering students to take charge of their education leads to improved academic and professional outcomes.
Student Testimonials
“The research symposium is a great platform for us students to present our research findings and educate others while doing so. I enjoyed attending the Symposium to learn about others’ research projects, and I also enjoyed sharing my project.”
“The opportunity to present my research findings at the Symposium allowed me to complete the scientific method for my honors research project. My presentation was not only a culminating experience for my academic career at UC Irvine but also the beginning of my research career. This opportunity has prepared me for the next step in my academic and scientific journeys.”
“I would like to thank the faculty that set up this year’s Symposium for giving us students the opportunity to present our research work and findings, even though it was not set up in the traditional format due to Covid-19. I greatly appreciate all the mentors who guided and supported my undergraduate research. The time I spent by being involved in academic research transformed my mindset toward future academic endeavors, my character, and my overall professional development.”