Like several other spring semester events, Lander University's annual Student Academic Research Symposium, sponsored by the Honors College, was yet another victim of COVID-19. Normally giving the university the opportunity to spotlight the insightful research of undergraduate students from various academic backgrounds, the in-person version of this year's symposium was cancelled.
That did not stop Dr. Lillian Craton, director of Lander University's Honors College, from finding a way to allow students to present their research projects online.
"Lander students share and celebrate their research every spring at the Academic Symposium," said Craton. "Usually that means face-to-face panels and poster sessions, but this year the shift to online instruction gave us an opportunity to present students' work in a different way."
Prior to the closure of Lander's campus, some students had already submitted their projects to this year's symposium, and even as they adjusted to online learning, others continued to submit their research for inclusion as well. In total, this year's symposium features over 60 presentations from 18 different academic disciplines.
"Research and capstone projects allow students a deeper insight, not just into their subject matter, but also into how knowledge is created," said Craton. "We are thrilled with the variety of projects they've undertaken, from tracking nocturnal mammals, to testing water quality of nearby lakes, to studying perceptions of DUI, to assessing counterterrorism policies."
To view this year's Student Academic Research Symposium, please visit www.landerhonors.com.
About the Honors College
The Lander University Honors College, which sponsors the annual Student Academic Research Symposium, is an enrichment opportunity open to students in any major. The Honors College is a community of bright, ambitious students working closely with faculty mentors to take on challenges both inside and outside of the classroom. For more information, please visit www.lander.edu/honors.