30th annual Arts & Sciences Symposium to feature research, creative projects from nearly 300 students across more than 25 disciplines

The University of Richmond’s School of Arts and Sciences will host the 30th annual Student Symposium, April 17 from 1-6 p.m. in the Modlin Center for the Arts. This event is free and open to the public.

The Symposium showcases hundreds of student research projects from a wide variety of disciplines across the arts, social sciences, humanities, leadership, business and sciences. Students present their work in a professional setting, comparable to an international conference or discipline-specific symposium.

"The School of Arts and Sciences gives priority to undergraduate research experiences so that students develop intellectual curiosity, problem-solving and team-work abilities,” Dean Kathleen Skerrett said. “Our students engage in projects of discovery that make real contributions to new knowledge.”  

“The Symposium shows off their achievements as well as their public presentation skills.  It is one of my favorite events every year," Skerrett added.

Nearly 300 student presenters will share their discoveries from independent research under the mentorship of a faculty member in oral presentations, posters, exhibits and performances.

Gigi Dejoy,’15, a senior sociology major, is one of this year’s presenters. Her research focuses on studying women’s reproductive health care resources on a small island off the coast of Maine.

Art major Rene Felt,’15, will unveil his unique painting style, which includes layering paint and scraping it away with sandpaper and incorporating images of Buddha.

Senior Amy Reader will present The 100 Women Project, which engages women around the world by asking them to contribute a small piece – a crocheted wisteria vine – to a large art installation.

Remi Pomaranski, ’16, will showcase what she’s learned through her research on human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

Psychology major Sarah Kerr, ’16, will demonstrate how the virtual reality technology Oculus Rift, typically used for gaming, can be beneficial to psychology research.

Goldwater Scholar Scott Yeudall, ’16, will be presenting with his organic synthesis research group. The research team is working to synthesize new compounds that could treat cancer.

New this year, a number of students will present on location. About 30 students have been working on The Parking Lot Project transforming a campus parking lot into art. A number of geography and environmental studies students have also been studying this project in regards to its environmental impact and will present their findings on site as well.

For more information and a detailed list of presenters and topics, visit the University of Richmond website.

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