Elon University’s Spring Undergraduate Research Forum has hit a record number of submissions this year, with 387 participants. The forum will be held April 28. There are no campus activities or classes during this full day of research presentations.
Associate Director of the undergraduate research program Jennifer Hamel has spent the past three years at Elon helping with SURF Day. Hamel said SURF Day has expanded during her time and from what she has seen in the past.
“It’s grown a ton over 30 years, and now it is this really robust annual celebration of all this hard work that these students do,” Hamel said. “Hopefully, it’s a culminating moment.”
Hamel said all undergraduate schools at Elon are participating in SURF Day this year.
According to Elon’s website, there are five steps to get your research approved. Students who have had their research approved have been working with a mentor throughout their research process.
“Building their relationship with the mentor who shows you how to do it,” Hamel said. “These things are very valuable.”
SURF Day typically has two poster sessions where students present their research orally, along with creative performance presentations. Due to the high number of presentations this year, there will be three poster sessions. There will be 70 to 80 posters presented during each session, according to Hamel.
Hamel said SURF Day is a great way for students to grow professionally.
“That’s what SURF is all about,” Hamel said. “We know that they learn persistence and self-assessment and how to think critically and constructively.”