Connor Shafren, a UK freshman triple-majoring in music education, music performance and German, demonstrates his "tank drum," a percussional instrument he created himself in his garage. While not a traditional form of research, the project involved creativity, hypothesizing, and coming up with a result at the end of several processes.  He submitted an abstract and was accepted to present his instrument at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) taking place this week at UK.  Video by UK Public Relations and Marketing. To view captions for this video, push play and click on the CC icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. If using a mobile device, click the "thought bubble" icon in the same area.

by Jenny Wells

(April 1, 2014) — The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) is happening this week at the University of Kentucky, bringing a host of events and opportunities to campus as undergraduate researchers demonstrate how they "see discovery."

Beginning Wednesday, April 3 and running through Saturday, April 5, nearly 4,000 students and faculty mentors from across the country (300 of them from UK) will present their research and creative endeavors through poster and oral presentations, as well as visual and performing arts performances. 
In addition to the presentations, NCUR will also offer speaker events (featuring Pearse Lyons, Kris Kimel, Nikky Finney and Ernest Bailey), a graduate and professional school fair, a career gallery and a concert.

 A very important component for the success of NCUR 2014 is the involvement of students, who are strongly encouraged to sign up to volunteer and contribute to all facets of the conference. Students may sign up here for various jobs such as directing attendees, working tables, and providing many other logistical duties that are needed for a conference of this size.  View a guide to follow the 10 steps to signing up for NCUR.

Faculty and graduate students are also needed to moderate sessions. If interested, contact Claire Renzetti at claire.renzetti@uky.edu.

"Like" NCUR 2014 on Facebook and follow on Twitter @2014ncur.

A brief schedule of events is listed below. For the full schedule-at-a-glance, click here.

Thursday, April 3

•   9 – 10:30 a.m.: Opening and Plenary #1 featuring T. Pearse Lyons; Singletary Center Concert Hall

•   11 a.m. – noon:  SESSION 1 (poster, oral, performing and visual arts presentations). See full schedule for location details.

•   1 – 6 p.m.: Graduate and Professional School Fair; Memorial Coliseum

•   2 – 3 p.m.: SESSION 2 (poster, oral, performing and visual arts presentations). See full schedule for location details. 

•   3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: SESSION 3 (poster, oral, performing and visual arts presentations). See full schedule for location details.

•   7 – 9 p.m.: Plenary #2 Kentucky Proud dinner featuring Kris Kimel (ticketed event); Lexington Center

Friday, April 4

•   8 – 11:30 a.m.: Graduate and Professional School Fair; Memorial Coliseum

•   9 – 10 a.m.: SESSION 4 (poster, oral, performing and visual arts presentations). See full schedule for location details.

•   10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: SESSION 5 (poster, oral, performing and visual arts presentations). See full schedule for location details.

•   12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: SESSION 6 (poster presentations). See full schedule for location details.

•   Noon – 6 p.m.: Career Gallery (new to NCUR 2014); Memorial Coliseum

•   2 – 3 p.m.: Plenary #3 featuring Nikky Finney; Singletary Center Concert Hall

•   3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: SESSION 7 (poster, oral, performing and visual arts presentations). See full schedule for location details.

•   5 – 6 p.m.: SESSION 8 (poster, oral, performing and visual arts presentations). See full schedule for location details.

•   9 – 11 p.m.: Sundy Best concert (ticketed event); Grand Reserve

Saturday, April 5

•   9 – 10 a.m.: SESSION 9 (poster, oral, performing and visual arts presentations). See full schedule for location details.

•   10:30 a.m. – noon.: Plenary #4 featuring Dr. Ernest Bailey; Singletary Center Concert Hall

•   12:30 p.m.: Excursions

More information about NCUR 2014 is available here.