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Undergraduate Research hosts second conference

Students at conferenceOn Saturday, Nov 14, 2015, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is hosting its 2nd Annual Humanities, Arts, Social Science and Education (HASSE) Conference in Lamar University’s Lucas Engineering Building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The conference, according to OUR director Kumer Pial Das, will “continue to provide a platform for researchers, academicians and other professionals to present research in [their] related field of study.”

Designed specifically to enhance and promote undergraduate research in the disciplines of humanities, arts, social science and education, the conference will provide an outlet for student researchers outside of traditional STEM fields to present their findings in oral or poster presentations to peers and professionals.

Student and faculty attendees can expect a welcome session and keynote speech by psychology professor Donald Foss, followed by talks and presentations by undergraduate and graduate students, according to Das.

Presenting at conference“This conference is intended to address a wide range of critically important themes in the various fields that make up the humanities, arts, and education today,” he said. “Students will get an opportunity to share their work with their peers and mentors, and they will receive valuable feedback from their mentors. Our primary objective is to provide a platform for students and faculty with cross-disciplinary interests to meet and interact with each other.”

Last year’s conference saw an attendance of over 30 students and faculty. Ten students presented their research following a speech by plenary speaker Steven Liparulo, director of the University of Houston’s Writing Center.

“I think it's important to explore the role of the humanities in public sphere. It's important to get involved in dialogues related to cultural, political, ethical and moral issues,” Das said.

All undergraduate and graduate students in HASSE disciplines are encouraged to submit abstracts by the deadline, Oct 23. Due to funding from the OUR office, registration for the conference has been made free to attendees provided they register online before Nov 3. Das urges all students in the HASSE fields of study to attend the conference, even those not submitting abstracts or presenting research.

“I want to invite all students and faculty to take this opportunity to get involved in this dialogue,” he said. “I expect students from other universities in Texas and Louisiana to attend the conference as well.” 

Registration and abstract submission can be completed through the Lamar website under the 2nd Annual HASSE Conference event page of the Office of Undergraduate Research portal, at https://www.lamar.edu/undergraduate-research.

For more information, contact Kumer Pial Das at (409) 880-7947 or kumer.das@lamar.edu