Mapping marine debris in the Puget Sound. Tracking disparities in air pollution and asthma. Analyzing the effects of dance on mental wellbeing. Predicting future wildfire behavior based on previous burns. Studying the presence of fire hydrants in Seattle through photographs and interviews.
That鈥檚 just a taste of what you can expect from the 乱伦社区鈥檚 29th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.
In its largest iteration yet, this year鈥檚 Symposium will feature more than 1,700 students from all three UW campuses and other local institutions. The day-long celebration will begin at 11 a.m. on May 15 with presentations held across campus. The event is an opportunity for undergraduate students to celebrate their work and get experience presenting research to their peers, faculty, mentors, family, friends and the community.
29th Undergraduate Research Symposium
When: 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on May 15, 2026
Where: Mary Gates Hall, the Nanoengineering and Sciences Building, the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering, the Meany Hall Studio Theatre, and the Allen Library Research Commons
Who:
More info: Symposium website
鈥淭he Undergraduate Research Symposium is a turning point for many students,鈥� said Sophie Pierszalowski, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a moment when the student gets to demonstrate their content expertise and becomes our teacher. There鈥檚 a huge amount of growth and confidence building that happens in these presentation spaces.鈥澛�
This year marks the University鈥檚 29th Symposium. It will feature poster and oral presentations, dance and music performances, and visual arts and design sessions.聽
鈥淲e are inspired by the extraordinary research being carried out by students across campuses and disciplines,鈥� said Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of undergraduate affairs. 鈥淭he Symposium highlights the transformative impact of research on students鈥� academic and personal growth and reminds us that our students are engaging the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges with curiosity, creativity and purpose.鈥�
More than 100 disciplines will be represented at the event 鈥� from engineering to mathematics to social sciences to performance to visual arts. Anyone interested can attend the presentations, which will take place at Mary Gates Hall, the Nanoengineering and Sciences Building, the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering, the Meany Hall Studio Theatre, and the Allen Library Research Commons.聽
鈥淎s a public research institution, we have a commitment to serve the people of Washington and beyond,鈥� Pierszalowski said. 鈥淪tudents will have the opportunity to understand and experience that responsibility at the Symposium.鈥�
Some presentation titles include 鈥淲hen Pain Crosses Languages: Comparing English, French, and Japanese鈥�; 鈥淭he Representation of Black Grandmothers in African American Literature鈥�; 鈥淭he Effect of Sleep Routines and Leisure Activities on Stress鈥�; 鈥淓xploring the Freedom of Graphically Notated Music: A Performance-Based Project鈥�; 鈥淟everaging machine learning to assist clinicians with pediatric hearing diagnosis鈥�; and more. You can view the entire list of presentations and .
ahead of time is recommended but not required. For more information, including a schedule of presentations, .