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Transforming Texas Through Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this event is to showcase the experiences of undergraduate students engaged in research for Texas legislators and the public through high-quality poster presentations. The program highlights how research conducted by undergraduate students positively impacts Texas --and Texans--with the theme: Transforming Texas Through Undergraduate Research.
UGRD Registration
(Closed for 2021) Starting in mid-January, each campus liaison will guide student participants through the registration process. Requested information includes: project title, 300 word description, YouTube link/optional, audio description/optional, identification of a lead and additional student researchers, identification of faculty advisors, categorization of the research by discipline (list provided) and identification of up to five key words to assist in locating research entries by topic.
Undergraduate Research and the Texas Legislature
Traditionally, this event is conducted in Austin during the Texas Legislative Session. For 2021, the event will be conducted virtually, with research posters publicly displayed February 23-24 and again on March 17 (link pending, above). Showcasing this collection of research projects during the Legislative Session provides the opportunity to express our appreciation to the dedicated state leaders who so strongly support higher education, undergraduate student learning and high-quality research efforts. The budget and policy directives passed by legislators ultimately result in advancing a key purpose of higher education: providing career opportunities for the citizens of Texas, which simultaneously contributes to the economic well-being of our communities and state. Faculty and advisors are encouraged to work with their respective media relations and governmental relations contacts to identify opportunities to celebrate the research conducted by their respective outstanding undergraduates. Legislators and community leaders are invited to view the entries and to visit with student researchers as they share their higher education and research experiences.
Event Hosts
This event is coordinated by the Council of Public University Presidents & Chancellors/CPUPC and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Inc./ICUT. Virtual technology and support services are generously provided by The University of Texas at Austin, Office of Undergraduate Research/School of Undergraduate Studies. An additional event partner is TxGAP, the association of Texas Graduate Admissions Professionals. TxGAP members share graduate school admissions materials and guidance with each cohort of undergraduate researchers.