The 2025 Undergraduate Research Conference (UGRC) at Nipissing University had the campus buzzing with community members and visitors this weekend (March 29/30) . The annual event, part of Nipissing University's Research Month celebrations, showcased the remarkable academic talent of over 90 undergraduate students.
The UGRC began Friday evening with opening remarks and a keynote address from Dr. Kirsten Greer, an associate professor of geography and history at Nipissing University and the Canada Research Chair in Global Environmental Histories and Geographies. Her talk, Why Geography Matters: Place-Based Reparative Research, set the stage for the event. That same evening, attendees had the opportunity to engage with students as they presented their scholarly work through poster presentations, art installations and spoken word performances. The second day featured panel sessions where students presented their research papers and participated in discussions across various disciplines. The conference concluded with a closing ceremony for all student participants and a celebratory lunch.
"This conference is a celebration of student-led innovation and the critical contributions that undergraduate researchers make to our academic community," said Dr. Ann-Barbara Graff, Provost and Vice-President, Academic of Nipissing University. "The depth and breadth of research presented demonstrates the bright future of our students and the power of academic exploration."
The Fine Arts component included artist statements grouped into three distinct themes: Identity, The Environment, and Interrogating Social Structures. In addition to visual arts, the conference showcased a variety of poster presentations across five groups: Health, Environment & Sustainability, Biology & Environmental Science, Psychology, and Psychology & Archaeology. The research papers, which covered a wide array of topics, were organized into similar thematic categories, providing attendees with a comprehensive overview of the student research presented.
Dr. Barbi Law, Associate Vice-President of Research, Innovation, and Graduate Studies at Nipissing University, echoed this sentiment, adding, "The UGRC is a unique to Nipissing platform allowing students to showcase their discoveries and tackle today's most pressing challenges. These student researchers are the next generation of decision-makers and policy leaders, asking bold questions and driving impactful change. It's truly inspiring to witness their passion, innovation, and the diverse perspectives they bring to the table.
For more information about Nipissing University's Office of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies visit nipissingu.ca/departments/graduate-studies-and-research.
To learn more about Research month at Nipissing University, visit nipissingu.ca/research/month.
