Ninth Annual Student Research Symposium Goes Virtual

The 9th annual Cal State East Bay Student Research Symposium is being held virtually on Apr. 16 and the week of Apr. 19-23. 

The live kickoff event from 12 - 1 p.m. on Apr. 16 will feature President Cathy Sandeen, Executive Director of Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Balvinder Kumar, two student-researchers and two research presentations. 

The symposium, hosted by the Center for Student Research and supported by faculty, gives students the opportunity to present what they have learned through their research experiences to a larger audience via a three-minute video on You-Tube. Those viewing the video presentations are being prompted to leave questions and comments and students will be responding to them throughout the week. 

“I hope our students get lots of engagement in their video's comment section so that they get a chance to not only showcase their knowledge and expertise to others, but, more importantly, they get feedback and comments from people to increase their self-perceptions of their own capabilities, value and belonging in higher education,” said Jenny O, associate professor of kinesiology and director of the Center for Student Research. “So many of our students battle impostor syndrome — that feeling like they don't belong or deserve to be in college or engaging in research or other work with faculty. Being able to read positive feedback and comments from our community on their YouTube project video can have such a positive impact on our students.”

The work showcased during the symposium represents all four colleges and the majority of its majors. About two-thirds of the work is from undergraduate students, which organizers say is a testament to the hands-on research opportunities at Cal State East Bay. 

This year, about 60 students will be presenting on a variety of topics that include sustainable packaging, Black feminism, Supporting teacher confidence during the pandemic and holistic public defense. 

Ten student research projects are selected every year to compete in the CSU Student Research Competition where students will be asked to submit an eight-minute video.