Please read the information below carefully before submitting your abstract/proposal.  Once you have read the information click SUBMIT ABSTRACT at the bottom of the page.  

Oral Presentation Guidelines

Poster Presentation Guidelines

SUNY/CUNY undergraduates in all academic fields are invited to submit proposals to present their independent research and creative activity projects at the 2022 SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC) at Buffalo State.

Students are encouraged to submit proposals to present their original:

  • Research
    • 15-minute oral presentation (includes Q&A); or
    • one-hour poster presentation
  • Exhibit/Performance art (e.g. creative writing, visual art, music compositions, dance choreography, theatrical script)
    • 15-minute oral presentation (includes Q&A); or
    • One-hour poster presentation
Notes: posters should be 30”x40, (landscape or portrait) Exhibit/Performance presenters will be contacted for special arrangements.

Eligible Undergraduate Student Research and Creative Projects

  • Produced by student(s) under faculty supervision or in collaboration with faculty
  • Associated with: thesis and/or capstone project; advanced methods, independent research, applied learning or other course (in which project represents substantial research or creative work); summer research experience
  • Based on advanced methodologies in the discipline and (in the case of research) on relevant data (statistical, lab, field, or survey) or primary source material

Please be sure to work with your faculty mentor before you submit your proposal.  All proposals must have prior approval by your mentor.  All mentors will be notified that you submitted a proposal.

If you have questions, please contact SURC@SUNY.edu


Proposal Submission Information

Please have the following information available when submitting your presentation proposal:

  • Primary presenter name, e-mail address, phone number, college/university, academic field
  • Faculty mentor name, college/university and e-mail address
  • Secondary presenter(s) name(s) and e-mail address(es)
  • Presentation type: oral presentation; poster presentation; exhibit/performance  
  • Presentation title, abstract (200-300 words)
  • Special equipment or space requests

Abstract/Artist Statement Guidelines
An Abstract/Artist Statement is a one-paragraph summary of your project (examples may be found here)

  • Titles should be bolded, short and specific, and in mixed UPPER and lower case letters.
  • Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
  • Abstract should be 200-300 words (not to exceed 350 words).
  • Include plain text only - DO NOT include tables, charts, pictures, foreign characters, or scientific symbols.
  • Do not include citations and a reference list, unless a reference is central to the work being presented (in this case, include the reference parenthetically in the body of the abstract).
  • The title and proposal will appear in the conference program exactly as inputted, so double check spelling, punctuation, and clarity of prose.
Proposal should clearly and concisely:

  • Identify the central research question, objective, or thesis of the project
  • Summarize the methodology and/or findings of the research or creative work
  • State conclusions, significance, and/or current state of the project

In addition:

  • Abstracts/Artist Statements should be written at college level (e.g. spelling, grammar, clarity, etc.) since they will include names of student(s) and faculty mentor.
  • All proposals must have prior approval by faculty mentor.
  • There is a limit of one presentation proposal per primary author.
  • Artist statements should include an explanation of what motivated or inspired the work and what the audience is expected to experience when they view the work.