Topics as diverse as cosmetic surgery in Muslim countries, as confusing as spark chamber particle detectors and as puzzling as social pressure on college football players will all be illuminated today.
Roughly 125 undergraduate students will present original work from more than 20 academic departments as a part of the 11th annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research.
The event, sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Roosevelt Institute, is the biggest presentation of undergraduate research all year, said Patricia Pukkila, the founding director of the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Attend the celebration
Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: The Center for Dramatic Art, Country Club Road
“It’s called a celebration for a reason,” she said.
The event will feature poster sessions and 15-minute oral presentations. The presentations will be followed by a ceremony honoring this year’s Carolina Research Scholars and the winners of the awards for best poster.
The event represents an ongoing effort to expand undergraduate research at UNC.
“I think what it’s done is allow all students to imagine themselves doing research, and increasing numbers do,” Pukkila said.
These efforts have taken the form of research-based classes for undergraduates led by professors and graduate research consultants, who are graduate students paid by the Office of Undergraduate Research to serve as advisers to students.
Pukkila said the number of undergraduates participating in these classes is increasing and emphasized the benefit to students of the possibility of undergraduate research.
“Why go to a research university if you’re not going to do what the purpose of the university is?” she said.
Liz Turgeon, a senior English major who will be presenting her honors thesis on the role of generosity in Shakespeare’s play “Timon of Athens,” said she enjoyed the process.
“I’m so glad I did this,” she said. “It’s definitely the most rewarding thing I’ve done in college.”
Leah Townsend, a junior psychology and philosophy double major who will be presenting research on differences in social judgment between liberals and conservatives, said her research has kept her interested in academics.
“This is what makes school bearable for me,” she said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu
