April 7 - 9, 2026
Celebrating
our 14th event!
We are excited to announce that the University Research Symposium (URS) has been renamed to the Academic Research Conference (ARC). This change reflects our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse academic environment that celebrates scholarship across all disciplines.
The transition to ARC represents our recognition of scholarly pursuits across all academic areas. It recognizes that valuable contributions to knowledge come from various fields – from the sciences and humanities to the arts and professional studies. Through its hybrid format, the ARC will be a breeding ground for interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement among scholars worldwide and a venue to celebrate the diverse forms of scholarship and inquiry in higher education.
The ARC remains committed to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and creativity across all fields of study so that undergraduate and graduate students and faculty can showcase their work. We invite presentations in various formats, including poster sessions, oral presentations, art exhibitions, and performances.
We look forward to your participation in this inclusive celebration of academic achievement.
Important Dates
Abstract submission and registration closes
February 24, 2025, 11:59 pm (CST)
We Are Proud
The Academic Research Conference’s impact grows each year!
Testimonials
Past Presenter
Experience
Dr. Mara DeLuca, UWA graduate and a Lecturer in Biomechanics at Brunel University London, UK
Past Presenter
Experience
Dr. Fhallon Ware-Gilmore, UWA graduate and Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Past Presenter
Experience
Dr. Lingyan Kong | Associate Professor
Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management
The University of Alabama
As an avid participant in the University Research Symposium (now Academic Research Conference) at the University of West Alabama, our research group has had the honor and privilege of making our presence felt year after year. Every time, our students embark on a transformative journey. The symposium pushes them out of their comfort zones, challenging them to distill months, if not years, of rigorous research into concise, impactful presentations. These presentations are more than just a report of data and results; they’re a testament to the perseverance, creativity, and dedication that drives scientific exploration. As we look forward to attending in the years to come, we remain ever grateful for the lessons learned, the connections made, and the unwavering support of the UWA community.
What's in it for students?
By participating in the Academic Research Conference at UWA, undergraduate & graduate students can share their ideas, discoveries, and works with campus and community. Since this event includes academic research of all kinds, traditionally held in the style of conferences at Bell Conference Center, you can present your work through posters, oral presentations, or data stories.
How to write an abstract:
The abstract is essential to any research paper as it’s the first thing your readers will see, and most likely, they will begin to form a first impression of your research project based on your abstract. Commonly, abstracts are written after you have finished writing up your research as they give a summary of the content of your research.
Event Schedule
- March 11 – Virtual talks and posters
- March 12 – in-person posters, talks, and keynote speakers
Rosie Zilinskas – Mathematician, Founder of No Women Left Behind, Career coach, motivational speaker, and women advocate
Erin Barker – Executive director and co-founder of The Story Collider, Moth’s GrandSLAM storytelling winner (twice)
- March 13 – in-person workshop
- Storytelling workshop
Awards
Students, graduates, and undergraduates can earn cash prizes and gain recognition for their outstanding work. The ARC offers three awards for each undergraduate and graduate student presentation. The awards are given based on the merit of the work presented and the student’s presentation skills. A group of highly respected professionals evaluates student presentations according to a specific rubric. For the in-person, the awards include:
Students must present in person to be eligible for cash prizes.
Undergraduate Poster Awards (In-person):
1st Place $150
2nd Place $100
3rd Place $50
Undergraduate Poster Awards (Virtual):
1st Place $150
2nd Place $100
3rd Place $50
Graduate Oral Talk Awards (In-person):
1st place $100
2nd place $75
3rd place $50
Graduate Oral Talks Awards (Virtual):
1st place $100
2nd place $75
3rd place $50
Location
Poster session and Graduate School and Career Expo will be held at Hughes Gym located at 42 Pruitt Drive, Livingston, AL 35470
Keynote and oral talk will be held at Bell Conference Center located at 37 Webb Circle, Livingston, AL 35470
ARC Hosts
1 College Dr.
UWA Station 7
Livingston, AL 35470