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The Research & Scholarship Conference at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ is made up of the Undergraduate Exposition, the Graduate Research Symposium, and the Faculty Scholarship Celebration. The event will host various scholarly content, including posters, exhibits, performance presentations, a keynote address, faculty 3MR, two celebrations, and awards for scholarly activities. This year’s conference will include a special emphasis on Hurricane Helene-related research. Participants will have the option to tag their work accordingly during registration, and these presentations will be curated and featured as part of dedicated session(s). This showcase academic event is hosted by The Office of the Provost, The Graduate School and Research, Hunter Library, and the Brinson Honors College.

The Undergraduate Research Exposition & The Graduate Research Symposium, part of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s campus-wide Research and Scholarship Conference, provides students with the opportunity to work with faculty to present their research to an engaged audience on campus. 

All undergraduate and graduate students, from any discipline, engaged in scholarly inquiry, creative projects, or research are welcome to register for this event!

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REGISTRATION: Undergraduate Exposition

GRADUATE STUDENT REGISTRATION:  Graduate Research Symposium

Important Dates:

November 19, 2025: Registration opens for the Undergraduate Exposition and Graduate Research Symposium.

February 16, 2026: Registration closes at 11:59 pm.

November 19, 2025 - March 16, 2026: Digital upload period for registrants (separate instructions to be provided to registrants via catamount email).

March 25, 2026 (events open to campus and the public): 

• Oral and Poster presentations 
• Fine arts exhibits and Performances 
• Keynote Address 
• The 5th Annual Faculty 3-Minute Research Talk (3MR) Competition 
• Celebration Receptions and awards recognizing scholarly achievements  

March 26, 2026: The Faculty Scholarship Celebration, the fifth annual Faculty 3-Minute Research Competition, and Faculty Scholarship Celebration Luncheon (reservation-only event).

New This Year: Faculty Presentation Registration  

For the first time, faculty from all disciplines are invited to present their research during the student exposition and symposium on March 25, 2026. 

Important Note: If you are a co-author with a student presenter, please support your student’s presentation rather than registering separately. Faculty should only register if their work is not being presented by a student. 

Important Dates:

November 19, 2025: Registration opens at 12:00 am.

February 16, 2026: Registration closes at 11:59 pm.

November 19, 2025 - March 16, 2026: Digital upload period for registrants (separate instructions to be provided to registrants via catamount email).

March 25, 2026 (events open to campus and the public): 

• Oral and Poster presentations 
• Fine arts exhibits and Performances 
• Keynote Address 
• The 5th Annual Faculty 3-Minute Research Talk (3MR) Competition 
• Celebration Receptions and awards recognizing scholarly achievements  

March 26, 2026: The Faculty Scholarship Celebration, the fifth annual Faculty 3-Minute Research Competition, and Faculty Scholarship Celebration Luncheon (reservation-only event).

The Fifth Annual Faculty 3-Minute Research Competition

Hosted by the Graduate School as part of the 2026 Research and Scholarship Conference and the 34th Annual Graduate Research Symposium

The Research and Scholarship Conference and the Graduate Research Symposium is calling for any interested faculty to participate in the third annual ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Faculty 3-Minute Research Competition.

Modeled after the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition faculty will be celebrating the exciting and innovative research, scholarship, and creative activity taking place here at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ in only 3 minutes! The competition will be held live and in-person in the A.K. Hinds University Center on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Cash prizes will be awarded to faculty winners.

The competition is open to any faculty member from across any discipline. Faculty register using the following link:

The Faculty Scholarship Celebration is an event that highlights faculty accomplishments as they relate to research. The event hosts a Faculty 3MR Competition and showcases faculty scholarship posters in addition to celebrating the recipients of the Million Dollar Circle Awards, the Hunter Scholar Award, and the Provost's Scholarship Development Grant Awards. 

Monday, March 23rd (access to virtual wesbite open to campus and the public):

• 2026 Research and Scholarship Conference's Affiliate Website Opening, featuring the 28th Annual Undergraduate Exposition, the 34th Annual Graduate Research Symposium, and the Annual Faculty Scholarship Celebration.
• Content will include project listings for graduate and undergraduate student, and faculty poster, oral, and performance presentations, and fine arts exhibits.
• Featured content will include special emphasis on Hurricane Helene-related research.
  • Visit

Wednesday, March 25th: Experience a full day of scholarly engagement, including oral and poster presentations, fine arts exhibits, and the preliminary round of the Faculty 3-Minute Research Talk (3MR). The day concludes with a keynote address, awards ceremony, and a celebratory reception sponsored by the Office of the Provost.   

• 9:00 am - 3:00 pm - Undergraduate, Graduate, and Faculty Oral/Performance Presentations, A.K. Hinds University Center
• 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Preliminary Faculty 3MR, Ramsey Center Arena  
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Keynote Address, Ramsey Center Arena
• 6:00 pm - 6:15 pm - Award Ceremony, Ramsey Center Arena 
• 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm - Undergraduate, Graduate, and Faculty Poster Presentations, Fine Arts Exhibits, and the Celebration Reception, Ramsey Center Concourse 

Thursday, March 26th: The annual Faculty Scholarship Celebration will highlight faculty research and scholarship accomplishments, including the final round of the Faculty 3MR Competition and recognition of major award recipients. 

• 11:00 am - 1:30 pm, A.K. Hinds University Center Grand Room
• The 5th Annual Faculty 3-Minute Research (3MR) Competition 
• Faculty Scholarship Celebration Luncheon (reservation-only event, details coming soon)   
• Awards Presentation (Million Dollar Circle, Hunter Scholar, Provost’s Scholarship Development Award) 

The keynote address is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th, from 5:00-6:00 pm in the Ramsey Center Arena.   

The keynote address, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Graduate School and Research, Hunter Library, and the Brinson Honors College, will center on WNC Mountain Life. The ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Community and public are invited to attend and engage in this thought-provoking presentation that aligns with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s research mission and our campus theme of WNC Mountain Life.

RASC Keynote Address details coming soon!