Why undergraduate research?
1. Supportive and Inclusive Research Community
At ICUR, we provide a supportive yet rigorous conference environment for participants, equipping students with the confidence to attend future academic conferences. Students receive detailed advice on writing an abstract, as well as tailored individual feedback on their submissions and, when necessary, the opportunity to revise and resubmit their work. Presenters are given access to online and in-person training seminars and materials to develop effective and engaging presentations and posters. Sessions at ICUR are recorded so that spoken presentations can be reviewed, giving students time to think critically about their own presentation and delivery.
2. Interdisciplinary research
The 3000+ undergraduates who have participated in ICUR to date have represented a hugely diverse range of subjects. Spoken presentations are themed but not by discipline. Unified research streams have been developed to reflect the interests and priorities of the sector. Through interdisciplinary themes and questions regarding the goals and methodologies of their research projects, students are encouraged to think about their own research in terms of the challenges that face the world today. They are encouraged to approach research problems from an interdisciplinary perspective which is a skill they will take with them into the rest of their academic work and beyond.
3. Skills development
ICUR provides participating undergraduates with:
- Real-world experience in conference presenting and attendance
- The opportunity to network with peers around the world without leaving their home institution
- A unique and impressive addition to their resumés and CVs – both for further academic study and future careers
- The opportunity and support to develop key skills needed for today’s competitive global job market
4. Internationalisation
ICUR is committed to offering undergraduate students a meaningful international experience without having to leave their home campus. Students are able to take a step towards global citizenship without increasing their carbon footprint or being constrained by the significant cost of travel. Through ICUR, student presenters and attendees are:
- Encouraged to look beyond their own experience to see the complexities and interconnectedness of the wider world
- Challenged to examine their work from an international perspective and to draw out aspects of potential impact on a global scale
- Exposed to new ideas, approaches and solutions
- Enabled to enter an interdisciplinary, international research conversation unlike any other they have experienced
5. Student-Centred and Student-Led
ICUR gives students the opportunity to become involved in many different ways. They are able to participate as presenters, directors, and/or audience members. Each type of participation allows for a valuable and engaging interaction, offering the opportunity to become involved at varying levels of readiness and experience, both in terms of presentation skills experience and involvement in research.
Student Directors
Student Directors form the heart of the ICUR organisational team alongside operational staff at participating institutions. Students gain experience in conference development and delivery, as well as project management. They are encouraged to shape aspects of the conference using their own initiative, bringing new insights and perspectives with each new intake of students. They work with an international team of fellow Directors, represent and promote ICUR on their home campuses and online, and support student presenters throughout the conference itself.
Presenters
Student presenters develop crucial skills to confidently communicate research to an intelligent audience, as well as learning to interact effectively through videoconferencing technology. Students receive extensive feedback from other participants and have the opportunity to network across disciplinary and geographic boundaries.
Audience Members
Audience members are exposed to methodologies and research from outside their own discipline, as well as international ideas and perspectives. They are encouraged to participate in the lively and engaging 15-minute Q&A sessions that offer the chance to communicate across cultures in a supportive academic space, as well as to browse virtual galleries of poster, exhibition, and alternative format presentations.