March 17, 2022
All will be revealed virtually at undergraduate research forum March 24
Being a researcher is not a walk in the park — countless hours are put toward designing a research project, formulating the perfect thesis, and reading critically. Reviewing present findings, collecting data, writing, and revising papers to publishing the final copy. Research is a long and enduring process.
Forums such as Research Revealed provide undergraduate students from Alberta universities in the fields of kinesiology, exercise and sociocultural sciences, sport studies, and recreation an outlet to showcase their original work. Dr. Walter Herzog, PhD, says an Alberta-specific forum like this provides ample time for all students to present.
“For undergraduates for which research is a new topic, smaller forums like Research Revealed are a stepping stone as they aren’t quite as intimidating,” he says.
Research Revealed is a joint effort that rotates between the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta, the University of Lethbridge, and the most recent addition, Mount Royal University. This year, it takes place on March 24 with three keynote speakers: Dr. Penny Werthner, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology UCalgary, Dr. Danielle Peers, PhD, University of Alberta, and Dr. Jared Fletcher, PhD, Mount Royal University.
It’s not too late to attend Research Revealed. The deadline to register is March 20.
What is Research Revealed?
This year, Research Revealed is hosted virtually by the University of Calgary under the direction of Herzog, associate dean (research) in the Faculty of Kinesiology. Herzog specializes in the neuro-biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system.
The first Research Revealed was held in March 2017 at the University of Alberta in partnership with the University of Calgary, with keynote speakers from both universities.
“Research Revealed is an outlet for undergraduate students to present their research and get a feel for what a professional scientific research conference looks like,” says Herzog, noting that this forum is a fabulous way for undergraduate students to formally present in front of peers and scholars. The primary purpose of Research Revealed is to allow undergraduate students to talk about the research they have been conducting over the last two semesters.
“It allows students to learn how to form a story from the research they have conducted in an easy, understandable way so individuals outside of the field can comprehend what the research entails,” he says.
Undergraduate students are challenged to prepare an abstract for either an oral or poster presentation to formally present in front of peers, professors, and other scholars attending the forum.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how well undergraduate students perform under pressure when preparing a presentation that summarizes the hundreds of hours of work that has been done over the past couple of months. It’s a real art to be able to do that well,” says Herzog.
What’s the benefit?
Research Revealed provides an insight into the operations of a professional scientific conference. Herzog says this forum “allows other students to use this educational platform to learn about the different fields of research done at the University of Calgary, and the other faculties of the partnered universities,” noting that students can learn about the different foci of each university.
“Faculty members, on the other hand, are there to support undergraduate research by providing constructive feedback to submitted abstracts,” emphasizing that faculty members play a key role in motivating undergraduate research.