Undergraduate Research Symposium

The signature event of Undergraduate Research Week, the Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) has been held on the University of Illinois (U of I) campus since 2008. The number of undergraduate students participating has grown from a few hundred in its inaugural year to well over 800 students. Over the course of the day, students present their work in concurrent oral and poster presentations (including creative performances), the breadth and scope of which reflect not only the wide range of academic disciplines at the University of Illinois, but also speak to the caliber of our undergraduates. Our students are innovative and engaged, eager to learn from their advisors and mentors. Their projects also demonstrate the ongoing institutional commitment to supporting and expanding research opportunities at the U of I and beyond.

Check out the full program

School of Social Work Presentations:

Oral Presentation: Using Data for Social Change
Room 2017, 12:30-1:30

Comparing and Contrasting Co-Response Models: A Case Study of UIPD’s REACH Team

Alina Loewenstein, Junior, Psychology, LAS
(Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work & Madisyn Welsh, Social Work)

Oral Presentation: Creating Belonging: Cultivating Queer Identities and Spaces
Room 211, 2:15-3:15

An Examination of a Local Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA): Creating Accessible Resources for Schools

Fynn Levery, Junior, Social Work, SSW
Noah Rawls, Sophomore, Social Work, SSW
(Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work)

Poster: 9:00-10:15, Illini Room A

Bullying in Central Illinois: A Mix of Rural and Urban

Emily Dailey, Junior, Social Work, SSW
(Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work)

Poster: 9:00-10:15, Illini Room C

Impacts of Climate Change on Access to Healthcare among Vulnerable Populations: A Scoping Review of Health Disparities and Access Issues

Victoria Ferrara, Junior, Social Work, SSW
Ainslee Wong, Senior, Psychology, LAS
(Research Mentor(s): Tuyet-Mai Ha Hoang, Social Work)

Poster: 10:45-12:00, Illini Room C

How Many School Social Workers Are in America?

Arielle Britten, Junior, Social Work, SSW
Ethan Kye, Junior, Social Work, SSW
Tracy Mason, Junior, Social Work, SSW
Brandon Seidensticker, Junior, Social Work, SSW
(Research Mentor(s): Brenda Lindsey, Social Work)

Poster: 10:45-12:00, Illini Room C

Victimization and Mental Health among Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth in Illinois: Implications for Creating Safer Schools

Noah Rawls, Sophomore, Social Work, SSW
Fynn Levery, Junior, Social Work, SSW
(Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work)

Poster: 3:45-5:00, Illini Room A

Recruitment and Engagement Strategies for Equitable Maternal Health and Child Development Research

Emma Darbro, Junior, Brain & Cognitive Science, LAS
(Research Mentor(s): Karen Tabb-Dina, Social Work & Xavy Ramirez, Social Work)

Poster: 3:45-5:00 Illini Room C

Exploring Diverse Experiences with Anger among Incarcerated Women

Christine Kwon, Senior, Social Work, SSW
(Research Mentor(s): Rachel Garthe, Social Work)