The University of Delaware Graduate College invites all UD graduate students and postdocs to submit proposals for participation in the fall 2024 Spark! Symposium by July 28. Presenters will be selected to give brief talks about their research Oct. 16 from 4-7 p.m. at the Audion, located on UD’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus.

From educators studying knowledge acquisition, to neuroscientists exploring brain development, to physicists elucidating the structure of the cosmos to social scientists identifying strategies to promote equity and inclusion, Blue Hen graduate students and postdocs are conducting innovative studies aimed to enrich various communities at individual and global scales — and everything in between. Tell us how your research reflects our theme, “Connecting our Scholarship to our Community.”

With individual and small group help from expert coaches, Spark! presenters gain confidence in public speaking while learning techniques for communicating their research to diverse audiences. Amanda Crandall, who was recently awarded a master’s degree in wildlife ecology, gave a Spark! presentation on her research on the impacts of climate and anthropogenic change on migratory stopover. She said about her experience: “The Spark! Symposium was an excellent opportunity to not only try something outside of my comfort zone in terms of public speaking but also to educate people across the University about the importance of my research. It was incredibly rewarding to show myself that I could represent my college and gain support and interest from community members. I would recommend that everyone apply — you may surprise yourself!”

For further information and details about the proposal process, please visit the Spark! Symposium webpage.