Welcome! We cordially invite you to register for the 14th Academic Research Conference, April 7 – 9, 2026.

The due date for project summary submission and registration for the 2026 Academic Research Conference (ARC) is February 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (CST).  

Registration & Project Summary Submission
ARC Project Summary TemplateDownload

Present at ARC 2026

  • Tue, Apr 7: Virtual presentations via Zoom
  • Wed, Apr 8: In-person presentations, Keynote and Career Fair (UWA)
  • Thu, Apr 9:  AI Workshop (UWA)

Virtual Research Presentations — April 7 (Zoom)

Virtual Poster Sessions Steps

  1. Submit your project summary by Feb. 27.
  2. Design your poster in PowerPoint or similar (use an ARC template or your own).
  3. Export a JPG (high-resolution, ≤10 MB) and upload to ARC Virtual Posters (link provided upon acceptance).
  4. Present live on Zoom: 10 minutes + 3 minutes Q&A.

Tips: Keep text large and concise; include a QR code to a PDF or project page (optional).

Virtual Oral Talk Steps:

  1. Submit your project summary by Feb.27.
  2. Prepare slides in PowerPoint/Google Slides (ARC template or your own).
  3. Present live on Zoom: 12 minutes + 3 minutes Q&A (you will share your screen).

Tips: Use a 16:9 slide ratio, high-contrast colors, and minimal text per slide.

In-Person Research Presentations — April 8 (UWA)

In-Person Poster Sessions Steps:

  1. Submit your project summary by Feb. 27.
  2. Design your poster (ARC templates or your own; PowerPoint or similar).
  3. Size: max 48 in (4 ft) width; suggested 48 in × 36 in.
  4. Bring a printed poster (pushpins/clips provided).
  5. Present on site: 5 minutes + 3 minutes Q&A.

In-person Oral Talk Steps:

  1. Submit your project summary by Feb 27.
  2. Prepare slides (ARC template or your own; 16:9).
  3. Talk length: 12 minutes + 3 minutes Q&A.
  4. Bring a USB copy and keep a cloud backup (session laptop/HDMI provided).

International Presenters

  • If you plan to attend in person and require a U.S. visa, apply by November 28, 2025 (processing can take several months).
  • Accepted international presenters will receive a personalized invitation letter by December 12, 2025 (title, tentative date/time, location).
  • The invitation letter is for visa purposes only and does not imply financial support.

How to Create Effective Posters & Slides (Quick Guide)

  • Tell them what you’ll cover → present the core → summarize clearly.
  • Aim for ≤6 lines per slide and ≤6 words per line; prefer key phrases over sentences.
  • Large fonts (≈24–48 pt), strong contrast, uncluttered backgrounds.
  • Use figures/diagrams instead of dense tables; highlight only the data that matter.
  • Rehearse to hit time; pause between sections; avoid filler words (“um,” “like”).
  • Face the audience, not the screen; make eye contact; use purposeful gestures.
  • Arrive early, test A/V, and know how to navigate forward and backward in slides.

(Portions adapted from guidance by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Indiana University Bloomington.)

Faculty Engagement Opportunities

  • Encourage student submissions; review and approve abstracts.
  • Four 15-minute faculty/postdoc/professional talks are available (in person or via Zoom) to showcase ongoing research and attract students.

To volunteer as a judge, email mmorsy@uwa.edu