Graduate Student Research Symposium

Overview

The Graduate School (TGS), in collaboration with the Graduate Student Association (GSA), is proud to carry on the tradition of providing students with the opportunity to showcase their research accomplishments on the MSU campus by sponsoring the annual Graduate Student Research Symposium (GSRS). The 27th GSRS will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Old Main Academic Center.

Registration will open on January 15 and close on February 3.

Graduate Student Research Symposium Registration  

Graduate Student Research Symposium

The Graduate Student Research Symposium (GSRS) is an interdisciplinary forum comprised of a series of oral and poster presentations by graduate students from across the MSU campus. The GSRS was designed to highlight the quality and diversity of graduate-level research at MSU. The GSRS serves as an opportunity for graduate students to gain experience giving presentations and to receive meaningful feedback from an evaluative panel of established MSU faculty members and researchers in a conference-style venue.

The symposium, which is open to the entire Mississippi State University community, provides graduate students an opportunity to present their research and innovative ideas to a broad and diverse audience. GSRS presenters must be registered, full-time MSU graduate students who are conducting thesis or dissertation research, and in good academic standing at the time of abstract submission. Selected participants will receive monetary awards in four categories.

 

A First place, $150 award, and a Second place, $75 award and a third place, $50 award will be recognized in each of the following categories for both oral and poster presentations:

  • Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business
  • Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine
  • Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Engineering 

 

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW AND GUIDELINES

The 2025 Spring Graduate Research Symposium will include oral and poster presentations.

January 15

Registration Opens

February 3

Abstract and registration due by 11:59 p.m.    

February 11

Oral presentation schedule and Poster presentation map will be sent

February 15

Symposium

 

ORAL PRESENTATION SESSION

Participants will be allowed 10-12 minutes in length for their oral presentation, with 3-5 minutes allowed for questions at the end of the session.  Presentations may take the form of video, PowerPoint, or an alternative form of media if approved by the GSA ahead of time. Presenters must be present at the designated time to be eligible to compete for awards. Presenters will receive additional information about their specific presentation time before the symposium.

POSTER PRESENTATION SESSION

Posters should not exceed 32" (h) by 40" (w) (or vise versa) in dimension. Presenters should bring any supplies needed to set up posters (Binder clips, Tape, etc). Easels and foam backboards will be provided for the posters. Any poster not removed at the end of the session will be held for one week in the Graduate School Office and then discarded. Presenters must be present at the designated time to answer questions during the Poster Competition in order to be eligible to compete for awards.

ELIGIBILITY

  • All Master’s and PhD students at MSU in all programs are invited
  • No more than two presenters per project
  • Benefits-eligible employees are not eligible to win monetary prizes

WHAT RESOURCES CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF?

The Mitchell Memorial Library will be offering workshops to help you prepare and practice your presentation.

Additionally, the Library AV studio is available to you to record your presentation for practice purposes. Please visit http://lib.msstate.edu/dmc/av-studio/ to learn more or make a studio reservation. And the Maxxsouth Digital Media Center can print your posters at a lower cost than local competitors (please allow 3 days for printing). More information here: https://www.library.msstate.edu/services/print

 

FACULTY JUDGES VOLUNTEERS

Faculty who would like to participate as judges for the Spring 2025 Graduate Student Symposium, please register here. 

Past Graduate Research Symposium Programs:

 

For questions, please contact the Graduate Student Association at GSA@grad.msstate.edu, or

Lilli Harris in the Graduate School at lharris@grad.msstate.edu.