Document Type
Poster Presentation
Publication Date
4-24-2026
Year of Award
2026
Date Assignment Submitted
2026
Abstract
This study explores the perceived experience and personal growth from students who participated in the 2025 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference. The study is focused on students’ qualitative descriptions of the expectations they had regarding presenting their work and engaging in conference activities. In a short-term longitudinal design, participants (N = 353) completed a survey examining their overall feelings about the FURC conference. Specifically, we asked about expected benefits and concerns prior to attending the conference; next, we asked about experienced benefits and surprises after the conclusion of the conference. For example, one open question was, "What benefits do you expect to experience by attending and presenting at FURC?” Content analysis was used to examine student responses. A majority of participants expected to experience networking opportunities and improvement in public speaking or presentation skills. Prior to the conference, the expressed concerns regarding their public speaking abilities, the impact of nervousness on their presentations, and their overall apprehension about attending their first conference. In the post-conference survey, attendees expressed their satisfaction with the conference’s ability to enhance skills, network and develop in a professional sense. Participants responded favorably when asked about the conference, mentioning gaining insights into different disciplines and positive interactions with attendees.
Publisher
Lynn University
Conference/Symposium
Lynn University Student Research Symposium
Contest
Poster Presentations: Social Science category
City/State
Boca Raton, FL
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Instructor
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Melissa Lehman
Recommended Citation
Kuester, D., Lecher, A. L., Cooper, P. J., & Lehman, M. (2026, April 24). Undergraduate research conference experience [Poster presentation]. Lynn University Student Research Symposium, Boca Raton, FL, United States.
