Call for Abstracts
This Research Symposium will bring together University of Michigan scholars and faculty to discuss research conducted by students. The Symposium will take place on August 9, 2011. We seek abstracts for oral presentations and for poster presentations from all disciplines.
- Physical Sciences/Engineering
- Biological Sciences
- Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
- Humanities
The deadline for submitting abstracts is July 15 and those selected will be notified by July 22, 2011.
Oral Presentations
Oral presentations should address one’s current research and its impact on society. A presentation may address how that research would influence the daily affairs of other scientists, social scientists, and/or humanists. Abstract should explain how that research contributes to community life, and if relevant, to our understanding of history, culture and memory.
Poster Presentations
Poster presenters should structure their posters to accomplish the same objectives as oral presentations. Posters will be on display throughout the Symposium, and poster presenters will be asked to present their posters in a dedicated 60 minute time span in the afternoon poster session.
Dimensions for poster presentations should be no greater than 32” x 40”. For more information on the Research Symposium, please send your questions to AGEPResearchinfo2011@umich.edu. We look forward to receiving your abstract.
Discussion Questions
Purpose
Thinking critically of how research can impact a diverse society. To develop a set of questions that can use as conversation starters that would prepare them to describe the impact of technical research on a diverse society (how it impacts different groups, identities, countries, etc).
General
- How does your research impact society?
- What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society?
- Does the project impact social equity or racial equity, directly or indirectly?
- What considerations have you made to minimize the impact on the environment?
- What considerations have you made to make the results sustainable?
Constituents
- Who are the stakeholders for this research (consider users and decision-makers, like clients, and also those who may be affected directly and indirectly by the project)?
- Who will your project/research benefit?
- Who will benefit the most? Who will benefit the least?
- How well does the research reflect the viewpoints of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)? (adapted from NSF broader impacts)
- What deliverables (or attributes) are important for various constituents (e.g. individuals, companies, neighborhoods, workers, users, and so on)?
- How have you taken their needs/interests into account with your research plan/design, and/or deliverables?
- Is there a way you could find out how these constituents see your project and its impacts, as part of your research design?
- How have you incorporated diverse perspectives into the design of your research? Or How might their voices/perspectives be heard in the decision making process?
- How would your project design and/or solution change if the application was for a different part of the world, different culture (e.g. Western vs. Eastern), etc.?
- What will its impact be on people in rural vs. urban vs. suburban areas; does its impact vary according to income, even if the reason for that has to do with social organization rather than your project per se?
- If your research produces a product, how might different constituents obtain access to it? Will the availability and/or cost impact who uses your product?
- Are there potential consumers of your research that you are not currently thinking about?
Implications
- How might your research be used for the good of society?
- How might your research be used unintentionally to harm society? (social ill)
- Brainstorm some unintended consequences that your research might have?
- How might your research project support different populations (eg. Lower income, etc)