Undergraduate Research

Student Work by Southwestern University

This annual event offers all students in all areas of interest and at all stages in their careers at SU the opportunity to present their work, via posters, talks, exhibitions, performances, panel discussions, and more. 

It’s a real, tangible opportunity to hone communication, leadership, project management, collaboration, and critical thinking skills as you build your resume, gain confidence, and add even more experience pitching your ideas and work to different audiences—and that makes it a waypoint in the Pirate Plan as well. Come join us and be a part of one of the most memorable days of the year!

Contact

Jessica Hower

Jessica Hower

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Location

CB 150
Jessica Hower

Jessica Hower

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

This year’s Student Work by Southwestern University (SWXSU) Event

is scheduled for Tuesday, 13 April 2027. 

 

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL HERE, by 1 March 2027 — extended to 8 march 2027

One of Southwestern’s most exhilarating events is the annual Student Work Symposium or SWXSU, for Student Work by Southwestern University (previously known as the Research and Creative Works Symposium (RCWS)). Inaugurated in 1999, the event showcases undergraduate research, innovation, and imagination. Hosted across campus during a daylong celebration, this grand display of various intellectual interests, expertise, and in- and out-of-classroom experiences encapsulates the spirit of a liberal arts education.

Individuals can submit presentation proposals for the following:

  • Poster Presentations provide an opportunity to display your research. They often combine visual and textual content, such as tables, graphs, images, and citations.
  • Oral Presentations allow students to share their research in a classroom presentation. 
  • Creative Works Exhibitions showcase all forms of visual art, including original painting, sculpture, photography, prints, textile arts, drawings, pottery, metal, etc.
  • Creative and Scientific Process Exhibitions provides students from any discipline the opportunity to showcase a project’s creative and scientific process beginning with the creative idea and/or scientific question. This exhibition does not require that a project be completed before the exhibition. Students create a physical representation or poster presentation highlighting their individual or group process as well their reflections on the process itself.
  • Performances showcase live performances of all types, including literary readings, theatre, music, or dance. 
  • Panels include a group of three to five individuals (including a moderator) who will discuss a given topic and will be allocated 50 minutes.

Proposals may be submitted using the Google Form linked above. A pdf preview may be found here.

For more information about writing a project description, please reach out to the Debby Ellis Writing Center for assistance.


Learn More

  • Undergraduate Research

    Every student at Southwestern University engages in research and creative projects, whether it’s writing a literature review for a final sociology essay or designing a theatrical performance for a capstone course. But undergraduate research goes well beyond the classroom…

     

  • Student Stories

  • 23rd Annual Research and Creative Works Symposium

    Southwestern Showcases Undergraduate Research and Creativity

  • Southwestern Showcases Undergraduate Research and Creativity

    SU hosts the 20th annual Research and Creative Works Symposium.

  • 19th Annual Research & Creative Works Symposium

    Southwestern University celebrated the work of students and faculty at the 19th annual Research & Creative Works Symposium on Tuesday, April 10.