NCUR 2021 @Home Abstract Submission Instructions

Abstract submissions are currently closed for NCUR 2021 @Home. 

The following information outlines the process for submitting an application to NCUR 2021 @Home. If you were accepted to NCUR 2020,
please refer to the 2021 Re-submit instructions. Abstract guidelines by discipline are below.

To present at NCUR 2021@Home, you must submit an abstract by the abstract deadline. Abstract submissions requires three steps:

1. Write your abstract following the appropriate guidelines for your discipline (see below). It is important to complete your abstract before starting step #3.
2. Create a submission account. 
3. Login to your submission account. Fill out the required information, enter your abstract into the text box, review your submission, and press the submit button. Be sure to have all required information available before your log in because you cannot save your work for later.
   1. Your name, institution, phone, and email
   2. Your mentor's name, institution, and email
   3. Name and email for all co-authors
   4. Name, institution, email, and phone for your undergraduate research coordinator (if any)
   5. Postal addresses for all authors and co-authors on your presentation
   6. Electronic copy of your abstract (to paste into the abstract field)
   7. URL for optional supplementary documents (if needed)
   8. For visual arts presentations: Electronic files of three example artworks

Important information: 

• All abstracts must be submitted by the posted deadline(s). Please refer to the submission deadlines and make sure you submit your abstract accordingly. Notification decisions will be sent according to when you submit your abstract.
• Should your abstract be accepted, you will use your submission account to register for the conference. Registration will open with decision notifications.
• Up to two abstracts per primary author are permitted. There is no limit on the number of abstracts co-authored abstracts.
• Abstracts will undergo a rigorous evaluation by a panel of faculty reviewers. Abstract reviewers will evaluate submissions based on the criteria listed below and will assess overall merit within the context of the specific academic discipline
• The title and author(s) of your abstract will appear EXACTLY as they are entered in the abstract submission form. Please double check punctuation, grammar, and spelling before submitting.
• Upon acceptance, your abstract will automatically be added to a conference proceedings publication, which you may later reference for graduate school applications, resumes, CVs, etc.
• Follow the guidelines below when preparing your abstract. Select the disciplinary option which is most appropriate.
• If you need assistance writing your abstract, please reach out to your institution’s writing center or office of undergraduate research. 

NCUR 2021 At Home Deadlines
All deadlines are 11:59pm EST unless otherwise noted

*Early Decision notifications will be sent on December 7, 2020. All other submission notifications will be sent on January 15, 2021.

ABSTRACT GUIDELINES
 

• Guidelines for humanities, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
• Guidelines for visual arts
• Guidelines for architecture
• Guidelines for performing arts
• Important formatting guidelines for all

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Abstract guidelines for humanities, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics:

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. 
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrate its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry.
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology.
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. 
5. Include text only (no images or graphics)
6. Be well-written and well-organized.

_________________________________

​Abstract guidelines for visual arts:

* Given that the NCUR Abstract Guidelines ask for information that is not completely consistent with artistic practices, this is how the requirements should be translated. 

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. (Provide an artist statement.)
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrate its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. (In the statement, cite your influences and inspirations: other established artists; movements that are referenced or serve as inspiration; political/ cultural/ social issues that the work responds to; personal events, adventures, medical diagnosis; etc.)
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. (What techniques were used?  It could be as basic as oil painting on primed canvas, or a more in-depth explanation of the experimental process.
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. (What did you learn?  What was successful?  What are things to be addressed in future pieces?  How does this piece fit into your portfolio or future works?
5. Include text only (no images or graphics)
6. Be well-written and well-organized. All of these issues should be addressed in your abstract. However, as each covers a unique influence that alters the interpretation the work, speak more to one or two components of your “research” in depth:  was the work a response to Art History?  Or was the focus the experimental process? While it is assumed you will very briefly respond to all of these requirements, it is also expected that only a few will be the central focus of your statement.
   1. Visual Arts presenters are required to upload three examples of work. For works in progress, you may substitute images of the work being submitted with images of past works that are representative of the artwork to be exhibited at NCUR 2021.
   2. If a video or performance documentation, no sample should exceed 2 minutes.
7. Other submission guidelines
   1. For Mentor: List a professor who is familiar with your work, who will advocate for you if contacted.
   2. For Other Presenters: list collaborators if applicable. Otherwise, just skip.
   3. Abstract Title:  Insert title of work. 
   4. For Name of Author(s), Faculty Mentor, Department, etc.: place the address of your department.

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Abstract guidelines for architecture:

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. What is it that you wish to study? This could be a building typology (i.e. the energy consumption of single family homes vs. duplex units or efficiency of one floor vs. two floor office) or it could be the evolution of a building typology, building material, building system, building technology, a place or an architectural theory.  
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrate its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. Describe why this research is relevant today.  What has changed, is changing, or is likely to change in the future and how might this change effect people, place, design aspirations, building technology, etc.?
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. How will you conduct the research (i.e. comparative, historic, evolutionary, inductive [analyze the observed phenomenon], deductive [verify an observed phenomenon], qualitative, experimental, simulation, case studies)
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. What do you expect the results to be or what do you expect to learn and what is likely to be the significance of your findings?
5. Include text only (no images or graphics). This may be difficult when you are researching a “thing” in the built environment but you need to follow the rules.
6. Be well-written and well-organized. Follow the script you have been given (#’s 1, 2, 3, & 4 above in this order).  Restate each topic and be specific in your response to each.  Use complete sentences (bullet points can be used following a statement but never alone).  Do not use jargon that someone outside of architecture is not likely to understand (i.e. glazing vs. glass). Read what you have written out loud to check to see if it sounds clear and concise.  Reread what you have written 24 hours later to identify typos, poor word usage, incomplete sentences, etc.  Read what have written to a friend and ask them if they can restate what you are proposing.  If you are the least bit uncertain take what you have written to the writing center.

__________________________

Abstract guidelines for performing arts:

1. Clearly state the central research question and/or purpose of the project. A statement discussing compositional or performance aspects of the work. Why did you compose this work or choose this work to perform? What aspects of music are you exploring?
2. Provide brief, relevant scholarly or research context (no actual citations required) that demonstrate its attempt to make a unique contribution to the area of inquiry. How does the composition and/or performance advance the development of your creative output?
3. Provide a brief description of the research methodology. Provide a brief description of the musical work from a compositional or performative standpoint.
4. State conclusions or expected results and the context in which they will be discussed. How did the composition of the work or preparation for the performance affect your musical understanding and output?
5. Include text only (no images or graphics). Include a link (box, google drive, dropbox, etc) to a recording of the work and a score of the work if required for performance.
6. Be well-written and well-organized.

__________________________

Other formatting guidelines:

1. Currently the submission form does not provide formatting and special characters (e.g., scientific symbols or italics). Use plain text format for your abstract. There is space in the form to include a link to online documentation, formulas, images, music files, etc. in support of your submission. You may use this space to provide a link to a location to view your abstract in its original form.
2. Abstracts are usually 200-300 words long with no paragraph breaks. MAXIMUM LENGTH = 300 WORDS! If necessary, you may leave off references to save space in your word count. References can be included on your final poster or in your presentation during the conference.
3. Field of study options:
   1. ​If your area is not named below, or if more than one area applies, select the one most closely related to your work. Please review the entire list before choosing your area. 
      1. ​Anthropology & Archaeology
      2. Architecture, Construction Management, & Interior Design
      3. Art History & Visual Arts
      4. Biochemistry
      5. Biology
      6. Business
      7. Chemistry
      8. Communications
      9. Computer Science
      10. Creative Writing
      11. Criminology/Criminal Justice
      12. Dance
      13. Diversity Studies
      14. Economics
      15. Education
      16. Engineering
      17. English & Literature
      18. Environmental Science & Sustainability
      19. Exercise Science & Nutrition
      20. Film/Photography Studies
      21. Geography/Geology
      22. History
      23. Interdisciplinary Studies
      24. Law & Legal Studies
      25. Linguistics & World Languages
      26. Mathematics
      27. Music
      28. Nursing & Public Health
      29. Philosophy, Ethics, & Religious Studies
      30. Physical/Occupational Therapy & Speech Language Pathology
      31. Physics
      32. Political Science
      33. Psychology
      34. Rhetoric and Writing Studies
      35. Social Work and Human Services
      36. Sociology
      37. Theatre/Drama