The Graduate Research Conference (GRC) is an annual, two-day showcase where UNH graduate students from all disciplines present their research through oral and poster presentations to foster community, scholarly exchange, and professional growth. This year, we are introducing a theme-based approach for both oral and poster presentations that encourages students to connect their work to one of four broad categories: Strengthening UNH’s Impact, Teaching and Research Excellence, Commitment to Well-Being and Belonging, or General Research and Scholarship.
Read below to learn about each option and determine which best fits your research.
How does your research benefit communities, industries, policy, or real-world challenges?
Research connected to this theme:
- Addresses real-world problems affecting communities, regions, or industries
- Contributes to economic development, workforce readiness, or community well-being
- Informs public policy, professional practice, or organizational decision-making
- Engages with community partners, schools, nonprofits, government agencies, or businesses
- Applies research to improve health, sustainability, education, or quality of life
- Translates academic knowledge into practical tools, programs, or interventions
Examples by field
- STEM: Renewable energy systems, environmental monitoring, biomedical device development, applied data science
- Social Sciences: Housing policy analysis, workforce development research, public health interventions
- Humanities: Public history projects, cultural preservation, ethics of technology, science communication
- Arts: Community-engaged art, design for social impact, public performance addressing social issues
How does your research advance knowledge, learning, or innovation within or across disciplines?
Research connected to this theme:
- Advances theory, methods, or knowledge in your field
- Uses interdisciplinary or cross-sector approaches
- Integrates teaching, learning, mentoring, or student scholarship
- Develops or evaluates innovative educational, scientific, artistic, or professional practices
- Builds research capacity, tools, or methodologies
- Engages in creative, scholarly, or discovery-based work across disciplines
Examples by field
- STEM: Theoretical physics, computational modeling, materials science, methods development
- Social Sciences: New research instruments, longitudinal studies, mixed-methods frameworks
- Humanities: Archival research, literary theory, historical analysis, philosophy
- Arts: Experimental performance, studio-based research, creative methodologies, new media work
How does your research support people, inclusion, health, equity, or thriving communities?
Research connected to this theme:
- Focuses on mental, physical, social, emotional, or community well-being
- Examines equity, access, inclusion, identity, or belonging
- Addresses barriers to opportunity or success in education, work, or society
- Studies organizational culture, policy, or systems that affect people’s lived experiences
- Promotes wellness, resilience, accessibility, or supportive environments
- Engages marginalized, underserved, or historically excluded populations
Examples by field
- STEM: Health disparities research, assistive technologies, accessibility-focused design
- Social Sciences: Educational equity, social policy, immigration, labor studies
- Humanities: Disability studies, race/ethnicity studies, gender studies, narrative and identity
- Arts: Trauma-informed art, participatory theater, storytelling for healing and inclusion
This session will run in a similar fashion to how the GRC presentations have run in the past. You will be organized into department-relevant groups, no matter what your research topic is. You do not need to connect to any of the UNH strategic plan themes if you register for this option.
By aligning research with strategic priorities, the GRC supports students in clearly articulating the broader significance of their work— an important professional development skill as they prepare for national and disciplinary conferences. Whether your scholarship directly addresses community impact, interdisciplinary excellence, wellness and inclusion, or foundational inquiry, the GRC provides a platform to share your contributions with peers, faculty, and the broader UNH community.
We encourage you to register as early as possible to ensure adequate space and accommodations. Students are also encouraged to explore the award opportunities available to conference participants.
GRC Awards & Prizes
To encourage students to showcase work across all themes and to recognize student engagement with the new GRC approach, the Graduate School will provide small monetary prizes (distributed at random) to students who present their work at the GRC. Prizes will be divided equally across the two presentation categories:
- 16 recipients who present Poster Presentations
- 16 recipients who present Oral Presentations (4 per each theme described above)
Prizes will be applied directly to the recipient’s student account.
The UNH Sustainability Institute is sponsoring research awards that contribute to a more sustainable future. The awards will recognize research that spans a diverse set of disciplines and topics, contributing to one (or more) of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Two $500 awards are available; one for a poster and one for an oral presentation. Please watch this video to learn more about integrating sustainability into research.
Poster and Oral presentations should include visual and verbal articulation of which UN Sustainable Development Goal(s) are being addressed in the research, as well as how this research could positively impact sustainability knowledge and/or practice.
To be considered for the Sustainability Award, please rank “Option 1A: Strengthening UNH’s Impact Through Sustainability” as your top choice on the registration page.
The UNH Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education offers annual awards at the UNH Graduate Research Conference (GRC) to recognize exemplary STEM education and outreach projects presented at the GRC. The Leitzel Center may grant up to two awards each year.
Award selection is based on the presenter’s demonstration of a significant contribution in at least one of two key areas:
- Graduate student contributions made in the design and implementation of STEM education research projects, which advance our understanding of STEM education.
- Graduate student contributions made in the design and implementation of STEM education outreach projects, which directly impact STEM teachers, instructors and faculty or STEM students of all ages through the application of enhanced STEM content or pedagogies.
Each award is valued at $500. To be considered, presenters must contact Steve Hale at steve.hale@unh.edu to discuss their project and eligibility.
