The Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) is NIU’s annual undergraduate research symposium hosted by the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL). CURE provides NIU students with the opportunity to formally present faculty-mentored undergraduate research, artistry and engagement projects that they have participated in during the academic year.
Everyone is welcome! Faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, family, friends and the NIU and DeKalb communities!
No, CURE is free.
The event will be in-person at the Holmes Student Center. There is no virtual option to present.
If you are an undergraduate student completing a faculty-mentored research project, presenting at CURE provides you an opportunity to practice and gain confidence in communicating your ideas and findings to others. You can also benefit by including this experience on your resume.
Students will be able to see what a research and/or artistry conference entails without having to spend the money to get there. Students will learn about other research and artistry projects happening in various departments and what a poster presentation looks like, as well as have the opportunity to network with undergraduate and graduate students along with faculty from a variety of disciplines.
Academic credit is not provided. You will be recognized as a participant in this campus-wide event. There are some departments such as Honors Engaged and Business Passport that are offering credit for attending and participating in this event.
Any currently enrolled undergraduate student who has participated in a faculty-mentored creative or research project is eligible to showcase their work at this event through posters and exhibits. This includes, but is not limited to, students who have completed an independent study, capstone projects, senior design, Research Rookies, READ, SEF, senior thesis or other related research/artistry or community engagement projects.
Yes, you can still present. Students still working on their projects/research tend to find the feedback from the judging process beneficial and benefit from attendees asking questions.
All undergraduate researchers who want to present must register for the conference. Refer to the event registration page for more details.
Please send an email to ugreasearch@niu.edu to cancel your presentation.
You can be the primary presenter for only one session.
Guidance on poster development can be found on the student resources page. Additionally, there is a CURE workshop Session on Designing Your Academic Poster on March 23, 2023, 3-4 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center, Lincoln Room. Registration is not required.
If you submit your poster by the April 3 deadline, your poster will be printed and ready for you the day of the event. If you submit your poster after the April 3 deadline, it will be your responsibility to print your poster.
You can attend the CURE workshop session on Communicating Your Research on April 3, 2023, 3-4 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center, Lincoln Room. You are also encouraged to prepare and practice an elevator pitch.
All presenters are required to submit a poster. Other materials such as an exhibit or video performance are optional. Presenters indicating they are recording a performance video or have an exhibit will be contacted by the CURE planning committee to discuss your needs.
Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled presentation time. The presenter check-in table is located outside of the Capitol Room. At that time, you will be directed to your presentation/poster location.
Yes, the conference is open to the public, and you are encouraged to invite guests.
After checking-in, you will locate your assigned presenter area where your poster will be displayed on a partition wall. Conference attendees, including faculty, staff, community members, and judges will circulate throughout the conference rooms and ask questions about your work. You should be prepared with an elevator pitch to share with the judges and any other conference attendees interested in your project/research.
Two judges will be assigned to each presentation and will use the judge’s rubric (DOCX) to rate your presentation.
Student winners will be notified on or before May 5, 2023. Students who rank first, second or third in their respective award category will receive a monetary award.
Student presenters can nominate their faculty mentor for this award. Nominees are evaluated on their ability to foster student participation in research and artistry activities, the balance between advisee and nurturing critical thinking, and the ability to develop a mentoring relationship that exudes genuine care in the student and their learning.