Research Week provides unique opportunity for students
Students presented their research findings on a variety of topics during Liberty University’s annual Research Week, which took place April 14-17 in the Jerry Falwell Library.
Students who proposed project submissions and received approval shared their research through oral and poster presentations, a Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT), a juried art exhibition or the performing arts presentation.
The process by which students are selected for Research Week is no small production. According to the Jerry Falwell Library website, students were required to submit their research proposals between Nov. 4 and March 7. They then received an email informing them of their acceptance, denial or revision requests. Final approved projects were to be submitted by March 21.
A wide array of academic disciplines was explored in the 347 research presentations presented during Research Week. Every presentation fell into one of five categories: basic, applied, theoretical proposed, textual or investigative and creative and artistic. Within these delineations, the topics spanned all the way from medical research to literature reviews. There were also opportunities to enter the 3MT, performing arts presentations and a juried arts exhibition.
Liberty requires students presenting in Research Week to have a faculty sponsor. This advisor oversees the student’s initial work, revisions and provides encouragement. This required mentorship is a greatly appreciated resource for students who present their findings to a larger audience.
One student said her faculty mentor was the primary reason she even considered submitting her project. Audra Horton, a junior studying English education, said that her faculty mentor, Virginia Dow, the residential chair of the English department, was a huge source of motivation during her analysis process.
Horton said her scope of work focused on the connection between author J.M. Barrie’s childhood and his novel “Peter Pan.” Her research began as class project she completed for Dow; her interest on the topic developed further as she realized there was a knowledge gap within the sources she was utilizing. She emphasized that Dow encouraged her to research the topic further, which helped her to fill in the holes she first found when completing her class assignment.
“Dr. Dow really was the push for Research Week,” Horton said. “It really was her confidence in me that pushed me to do it. I knew that she wouldn’t be telling me to do it if it wasn’t ready.”
Dow said that as she mentors her students, she welcomes them in for guidance and editing along the way to help prepare them for their presentations. Every ounce of preparation is important according to Dow.
“We want them to excel in whatever interests they have, whatever field they go into, and it (Research Week) opens doors. It opens doors wide for them,” Dow said.
In addition to the oral and poster presentations, the 3MT competition is another opportunity for students to share their findings, but with more restrictions. Within three minutes, students must present their research question, their exploration of the topic and their findings in front of their peers and a panel of judges. During this year’s presentations, 32 undergraduate students and graduate students shared their research.
One undergraduate presenter, April Reynolds, said that the 3MT is special because it is different than any other opportunity provided during Research Week.
“I think Three-Minute Thesis is super … cool because it lets you tell a story. Anybody that’s listening can understand so it’s a story in plain language and it’s a very important thing,” Reynolds said.
Research Week is an annual opportunity for student scholars to present their research to peers and judges. The top three undergraduate and graduate student presentations in each category will receive award prizes of $250, $100 and $50. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in the Jerry Falwell Library April 30.
Mullet is a staff writer.