An upcoming event will offer a great opportunity to check out impressive research conducted by Penn State students and learn more about research opportunities and related support available to students, including access to resources for graduate programs and the Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring Office.
Attendees can also learn about creating and presenting a research poster, which students and other researchers frequently use to illustrate important highlights of their work visually.
About the Psychology Virtual Research Fair
This annual Undergraduate Psychology Virtual Research Fair — hosted by members of the Psychology Honor Society, Psi Chi — lets undergraduate students share research posters from both empirical (verifiable by observation or experience) and conceptual (utilizing a theoretical framework for analysis) projects.
Hosted on the Gather platform, this research fair is designed to be an interactive event, so attendees can view the research posters while also chatting via videoconference with other participants, student presenters, and faculty.
Rewards of pursuing research opportunities
Developing strong research skills is important for students both in and out of the classroom. Many professional roles require research abilities, so graduates who can demonstrate this experience may have an advantage in the job market.
Conducting research also gives students a chance to explore different areas of interest, which may lead them to discover topics they may want to learn more about in future courses.
Penn State World Campus students can participate in a range of research-related activities. Many courses involve research of some kind, but students can also participate in research projects via a Student Engagement Network grant, an Erickson Discovery Grant, or other programs.
Building connections through research
Zheny Viela, who graduated from World Campus with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in fall 2023, participated in a previous virtual research fair, where she shared her research into the complex dynamics of parent-child interaction and child maltreatment, with a focus on the role of depression. Viela said the event “offered a fantastic platform to interact with other student researchers, fostering intellectual growth and collaboration within the academic community.”
Viela said this experience also “significantly enhanced my academic profile and professional development. It boosted my confidence in presenting research results to a diverse audience and provided me with valuable skills that will serve me well in future academic pursuits, including graduate school applications.” The connections and relationships Viela established during the research fair expanded her network within the academic community, opening doors to potential collaborations and opportunities for further academic growth.
How to attend the Psychology Virtual Research Fair
Although the deadline to sign up to be a presenter at the upcoming virtual research fair has passed, you can still register to attend and learn about all the impressive research projects conducted by Penn State students. The event will be held on April 18 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. (ET).
Register to attend the Psychology Virtual Research Fair
Related content:
- Writing Research Papers: Part One — Your Topic and Outline — get tips for getting started with your research paper
- Tips for Requesting Library Materials — the Penn State University Libraries contain a wealth of resources that can help with research projects, so it’s important to know how to request those materials
