LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 22, 2022) — University of Kentucky students, faculty and staff are gearing up for the 16th annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars. The event will take place from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom, featuring more than 325 students and 250 presentations representing 64 disciplines and 16 colleges. For the abstract book, go here.
This year, for the first time in two years, UK's Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars will take place in person. New to this year’s event are two presentation sessions with the oral presentations being livestreamed on Zoom.
Each spring, the Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars brings together undergraduates from all disciplines, their faculty mentors and members of the community to learn about the types of research being done by undergraduate students at UK. At the University of Kentucky, undergraduate research is central to creating a well-rounded student experience. Research and applied professional experiences further achievements and outcomes for both students and faculty and strengthen the university as a whole.
The showcase includes projects from all disciplines, allowing students to present their work through oral sessions, posters, exhibits or performances and learn from each other about a broad range of exciting research topics. The event gives students the opportunity to engage in public outreach and polish their presentation skills. It not only provides a great learning experience for the participants, but for the attendees as well, who gain more knowledge about the world around them, as well as the depth of undergraduate involvement in research at UK.
As in previous years, outstanding faculty mentors will also be recognized during the showcase’s award ceremony. The student-nominated award is presented to UK research mentors for their commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers, providing exceptional experiences for students and supporting undergraduate research initiatives on campus. This year, a record number of 41 faculty members were nominated — representing 27 disciplines and 12 colleges. View this year’s nominees here.
The Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars is open to the public; students, faculty and staff are highly encouraged to attend. Click here for more information.
The University of Kentucky is increasingly the first choice for students, faculty and staff to pursue their passions and their professional goals. In the last two years, Forbes has named UK among the best employers for diversity, and INSIGHT into Diversity recognized us as a Diversity Champion four years running. UK is ranked among the top 30 campuses in the nation for LGBTQ* inclusion and safety. UK has been judged a “Great College to Work for" three years in a row, and UK is among only 22 universities in the country on Forbes' list of "America's Best Employers." We are ranked among the top 10 percent of public institutions for research expenditures — a tangible symbol of our breadth and depth as a university focused on discovery that changes lives and communities. And our patients know and appreciate the fact that UK HealthCare has been named the state’s top hospital for five straight years. Accolades and honors are great. But they are more important for what they represent: the idea that creating a community of belonging and commitment to excellence is how we honor our mission to be not simply the University of Kentucky, but the University for Kentucky.