I received a grant this year for a research project/scholarly paper from my university, and my abstract got accept by for the twenty-first National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). It’s taking place in April (quite unfortunately on my mother’s birthday), in San Rafael, California, at the Dominican University. I’m getting shipped out there for free – yay! – by my undergraduate research program.
I’m pretty excited about the whole thing, though I’m wondering why I decided to present a poster rather than a Powerpoint/speech, when I’m doing something in literary studies. How do you cram a scholarly paper on a piece of posterboard? I think it will take some puzzling out, though my principle thought right now is cheating, and just mounting a box with a hundred copies of my paper on the foam core, with “Take one! It’s free! Great holiday gifts!” written on it in permanent marker. Or something with strobe lights.
Any other dopers presenting or mentoring someone who is?
I gave a talk at NCUR in 2002 and frankly I think you’ll get a lot more out of it by giving a poster. Although timing and content was part of it (I gave my presentation on the last day…and my topic was somewhat esoteric), about five people came to my talk, only two of whom weren’t other presenters. Attendance was fairly low at most of the other talks I attended. The poster sessions got a lot more business and it’s quite a bit less pressure on you, which could be good or bad, depending on whether your public presentation skills need sharpening.
I guess my principal worry is that I’m writing about penises, which could either go really, really well, or the opposite of that. Although I suppose the poster would give me more free time and less nervousness.
Do you remember anything about the posters at the sessions you saw?
Not really, I’m afraid, just a general recollection that the poster exhibit hall was quite busy. There was a good draw, even thought that NCUR was held in Whitewater [WI]. (I don’t mean a slight if you’re from/at Whitewater - it’s a nice place, just not one that I would have imagined hosting an event the size of NCUR) I’m sure I would remember posters about penises, though! And given that many people like penises, I’m sure you’ll do splendidly
Oh, that’s so funny! I actually am going to school in Whitewater, and I agree completely. The town’s kind of a dump, and I had no idea NCUR had been held here – I can’t even imagine what strings had to be pulled to get it to come here. Milwaukee or Madision would surprise me less.
