Undergraduate Research hosts annual Creative Collaborations

Showcase provides brief and fun presentations from undergraduate student-researchers

An array of undergraduates spanning programs and schools gathered on the steps of the Learning Commons Town Square on April 8 and 10. Their collective goal: present important research, free of technical jargon, to a general audience. 

The Office of Undergraduate Research at the University of San Diego hosted the annual Creative Collaborations Showcase, which featured mini presentations from 45 undergraduate students. Held for 35 years to coincide with the university’s Research Month, the presentations utilized the Pecha Kucha style, which tasked the students with presenting their research within two minutes using no more than six slides that auto advanced after 20 seconds. 

“This is meant to be fun, a break from formal research presentations,” Director of Undergraduate Research Timothy Clark, PhD, told the audience. “Presenters really have to think about how they can present briefly to a broad audience.” 

Computer Science major Jack Conley presented for the first time at the annual event. To prepare, he set a timer for 15 seconds per slide, giving himself five second less to hone his delivery. 

“It’s incredibly interesting to practice for,” Conley said. “You have to really focus on what’s most important to say without the technical details. This format allows you to go over findings without going too in-depth like you would for industry experts. It was a blast.” 

— Story and photos by Matthew Piechalak