More Than 300 UWM Students to Present Research at 18th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
MILWAUKEE_The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will highlight student discoveries at the 18th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. It’s set for Friday, April 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the UWM Student Union, Wisconsin Conference Center. The event is free and open to the public.
The symposium is UWM’s biggest undergraduate research event yet. It showcases 328 students presenting almost 300 research projects from various disciplines at UWM. Students showcase outcomes of their research collaborations with research faculty and staff, using posters, oral presentations and prototype displays. The event gives the public a chance to see hands-on research at an R1 university.
“Undergraduate research is a high impact practice,” said Ali Abedi, UWM vice chancellor for research. “It changes how students learn and view themselves as scholars and professionals belonging to the research enterprise.” They gain critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills through these experiences. Research opportunities are key to UWM’s mission because they help expand equity, significantly improve retention and boost graduation rates. They also prepare students from all disciplines for success after college.
Supporting student success through research
Most presenters receive Support for Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) awards, which require students to present their work in a public setting. Granted by UWM’s Office of Undergraduate Research, SURF awards are one of the university’s biggest investments in paid jobs for undergraduates Because the research opportunities are paid, they help reduce financial barriers for students.
SURF awards offer students valuable, paid research jobs. Recipients become research assistants to their faculty mentors. Each SURF project requires a faculty sponsor, with students and faculty applying together. Faculty mentors set expectations and guide the research process. They often work with industry partners or sponsors. This collaboration exposes students to real-world challenges and professional networks.
Proven impact on retention, graduation and workforce readiness
Undergraduate research is vital for student persistence and completing degrees at UWM. Undergraduate research boosts student outcomes. Those who take part see much better results than those who don’t. The benefits include:
- 14-15% higher one-year retention rates for first-year and transfer students
- 30-32% higher four-year graduation rates
- 34-40% higher six-year graduation rates
- Overall graduation rates of 84-89% among undergraduate research participants
These experiences also connect students with faculty and industry networks, enhancing their future opportunities.
Celebrating undergraduate research at UWM
UWM provides more than 1,000 undergraduate research opportunities every year. The annual Undergraduate Research Symposium showcases the variety and impact of this work on campus.
“I hope the community will join us in celebrating and supporting our undergraduate researchers,” Abedi said. “Their work shows the creativity, rigor and potential of UWM students’ research and its impact on the community, and highlights how important research is for student success and the quality of the institution.”
For details on the Undergraduate Research Symposium, visit: https://sites.uwm.edu/ug-research-symposium-26/
About UWM
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has an ambitious mission as both a top-tier research university and an access institution, striving to ensure that students have equitable opportunities to earn a college degree. UWM educates a diverse student body of more than 23,000 students from 83 countries. About 43% of its undergraduates are first-generation college students. Its unique and top-rated programs include Wisconsin’s only accredited schools of architecture and public health, the only North American school dedicated solely to freshwater sciences and a film program ranked among the top 50 in the world. It has the largest and top-rated online education program in Wisconsin. UW-Milwaukee partners with leading companies to conduct joint research, promote entrepreneurship, provide student internships and serve as an economic engine for southeastern Wisconsin. The Princeton Review named UW-Milwaukee a 2026 “Best Midwestern” university based on overall academic excellence and student reviews.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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