Call for Abstracts

Research Week 2026 Call for Abstracts

The University of the District of Columbia invites undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff to submit abstracts for presentation at UDC Research Week 2026, April 6 to 10.

Submission Deadline

The submission deadline for the interdisciplinary research sessions has been extended to Monday, Feb. 16!

Interdisciplinary Approach

In addition to accepting abstracts for interdisciplinary research (works that draw from two or more academic disciplines), we also encourage the submission of scholarship that speaks across different academic fields.

We hope to organize sessions around similar themes and topics to illuminate a variety of perspectives from different disciplines. Sessions may, for example, explore topics such as AI through legal, engineering, humanities, education, and mental health lenses. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to submit an abstract if you would like to share your research with the UDC community to increase broader participation.

The objective of the interdisciplinary research sessions is to bring together faculty and students from all the schools and colleges to spark conversation, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the research happening across the university. This will contribute to our interdisciplinary research initiatives by fostering long-term research networks and establishing a sustainable research ecosystem that will generate successful, fundable ideas and impactful projects.

Whether it's a poster presentation, an oral presentation or a panel discussion — we want to showcase your transformative and cross-cutting research!

The tentative schedule for these interdisciplinary research sessions is:

Tuesday, April 7, 9 a.m.& – Noon (Lamond-Riggs)
Wednesday, April 8, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Van Ness)
Thursday, April 9, 9 a.m. – Noon (Van Ness)

Who Should Submit?

Faculty members, research staff, graduate and undergraduate students (with faculty mentorship encouraged).

Please note that the research you’ll be presenting can be recently published or ongoing/current, and it should be original work that is based on peer-reviewed evidence.

Submission Topics

Submission topics may include (but are not limited to):

Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research
Community-engaged scholarship
Critical technology areas: applied AI, biotechnology, quantum, hypersonic, directed energy and space force
Sustainability, health, education, policy and innovation
Creative works and applied research with interdisciplinary impact

We encourage broad participation and look forward to showcasing the impactful research taking place across UDC. Please share this call with colleagues and students who may be interested.

For questions, please contact Dr. Eileen Vo at eileen.vo@udc.edu.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Abstracts represent original work, ideas and research based on peer-reviewed evidence.
Abstracts will be accepted from UDC undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff. Authors are permitted to submit and present more than one abstract if accepted.
Abstracts should be no more than 250 words in length and should be formatted following the appropriate abstract category template (see below).
Abstracts with data/outcomes not yet finalized by the February 6th deadline are encouraged to submit. In lieu of results, please include a detailed description of evaluation and data analysis.
The deadline for submitting abstracts is Feb. 6, by 11:59 p.m. EST.
Those submitting abstracts will be notified of their acceptance status by early March.
Link to submit abstract proposals: https://forms.gle/761JPYEDfafD1uGM6

Abstract Types

Paper Presentations

Paper presentations should explore a focused topic. The paper outlines the research context and objectives, describes the methodology or analytical approach, and summarizes the key findings or arguments. The abstract emphasizes the paper’s original contribution and its significance for the field.

Abstract Template

Research context/background:
Objectives/arguments:
Methodology/analytical approach:
Summary of key findings/arguments:
Contribution to current discussions/directions in the field:

Panel Discussions

The panel discussions should bring together diverse perspectives to examine a particular topic. The panel outlines the central issues to be addressed, introduces the range of viewpoints or expertise represented by the panelists, and highlights key questions that will guide the discussion. The panel session aims to foster critical dialogue, audience engagement, and insight into current challenges and emerging directions in the field.

Abstract Template

Central issues to be addressed:
Viewpoints and expertise of panelists:
Key questions to guide discussion:
Insight into current challenges and emerging directions in the field:

Poster Presentations

Poster presentations should highlight an overview of a focused study or project. The poster outlines the background and objectives, summarizes the methods or approach, and highlights key findings or preliminary results. The poster emphasizes the significance of the work and encourages discussion and engagement with attendees.

Example of poster categories:

1. Research Abstracts

Research abstracts including a brief description of the author’s original research methodology including design, subject characteristics and procedures, major findings, and conclusions or implications for dietetics practice.

Research Abstract Template

Introduction: Provide a brief background description of the concept or idea to be presented.
Objective/Hypothesis: State the study’s objective and/or hypothesis to be tested.
Methods: Provide a clear description of the methods and analytical procedures used, including research design.
Results: State the study’s major findings.
Conclusions: Discuss the implications of the results and a statement of their relevance to practice or research.

2. Case Report

Case Report abstracts including detailed analyses of a person or group with a particular disease or condition, noting the characteristics of the disease or condition.

Case Report Abstract Template

Introduction: Provide a brief background description of the concept or idea to be presented.
Case description: Include relevant information on individual and the appropriate diagnosis based on the assessment (i.e. history, mechanism, initial clinical examination) and subsequent diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests or other healthcare professional examinations.
Discussion: Include the professional medical evaluation and state the results of diagnostic imaging and laboratory results if performed. Describe nutrition strategies used to treat the individual and include monitoring and evaluation strategies. The final diagnosis of the condition and subsequent treatment and clinical course followed should be clearly detailed.
Conclusions: Discuss the implications of the results and a statement of their relevance to practice or research.

3. Project/Program Abstracts

Project/Program abstracts containing information about the need or purpose for such a program, project, or tool development; the theory or previous research upon which it is based, or setting for its use, if appropriate; the unique characteristics of the project, program, or tool; the characteristics of subjects or the target audience involved; and the type of evaluation or proposed use for the tool or instrument developed.

Project/Program Abstract Template

Introduction: Provide a brief background description of the concept or idea to be presented.
Needs Assessment: Include an appropriate description of the needs of the target population based on the assessment to explain what guided the development of the project/program.
Project / Program: Write a short summary of the project/program components that were developed. This may address areas such as content, unique characteristics of program, target audience involved, setting, etc.
Discussion: Explain how the project/program was evaluated and the impact. What outcomes or indicators were expected to change and how did the project/program impact these measures?
Conclusions: Discuss the implications of the results and a statement of their relevance to practice or research.