Spring is a traditionally a busy time for research-related events on the UO campus, but this year, with the pandemic limiting in-person activities, many events have been rolled into one.

Co-organized by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and the Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success, the inaugural Week of Research will be held remotely and is open to students, faculty members and staff. Taking place May 24-28, the event offers many activities, including competitions, panel discussions, workshops, presentations and more.

“We’re excited to be co-hosting this inaugural event with the Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success,” said Cassandra Moseley, interim vice president for research and innovation. “Together, we can celebrate the wide range of research happening at the university.”

Throughout the pandemic, researchers have had to quickly adapt to COVID-19 protocols as research returned in a staged approach that ensured the safety, health and well-being of the UO research enterprise in accordance with public health guidance and safety conditions. Moseley said she was pleased the week of events offered a virtual means for researchers to share their work during unprecedented times.

The Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success’ 11th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, as well as the 2021 UO Entrepreneurship Awards presented by the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship and the Department of Product Design are among the familiar university events being held during the Week of Research. Additionally, the popular Three-Minute Thesis competition is back to challenge graduate students to sum up complex concepts while racing against the clock.

New events include a culturally responsive interactive mentorship workshop. The workshop will cover what it means to be a mentor with respect and recognition of cultural difference and includes the new 2021-22 Provost Fellow for mentorship and faculty panelists, as well as a keynote speech featuring Ann Austin, an expert in organizational change for gender equity.

“The variety of events held throughout the week will give a glimpse into the broad range of research at the UO,” Moseley said. “I hope those who tune in feel inspired by our outstanding researchers.”

Virtual attendees can view livestreamed sessions and revisit the action in recorded sessions on the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation’s YouTube channel.

Week of Research events are free to register and attend. More information on how to attend and a full schedule of events is available on the Week of Research website. For more information, contact the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation at vpri@uoregon.edu.

—By Colby Finucane, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation