Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Submissions

Undergraduate Research Spark Symposium and Digital Publication Application

We invite undergraduate scholars and creators from all disciplines—including the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, education, business, emergency management, technology, and health fields—to submit original work for consideration in our Undergraduate Research Symposium and Digital Publication, Spark. Submissions may include empirical research, theoretical or critical essays, creative scholarship with research framing, community‑engaged projects, applied design/engineering artifacts, and interdisciplinary collaborations. 

Have questions? Contact Elysia Mbuja at EMbuja@pierce.ctc.edu or Adie Kleckner at AKleckner@pierce.ctc.edu.

Submission Form  

Submissions Close: May 12, 2026

Submission Guidelines

Abstract/Proposal Guidelines

Submit a single Abstract/Proposal (250–350 words) that clearly addresses: 

  • Research Question/Problem or Creative Inquiry 
  • Methods/Approach/Process (including theoretical framework or design methodology) 
  • Evidence/Artifacts/Findings (or anticipated findings for works-in-progress) 
  • Significance/Impact (disciplinary and/or public/community relevance) 
  • Ethics and Permissions (human/animal subjects status, community agreements, data permissions; see Section 7 of submission call) 
  • Include 5–7 keywords. Avoid jargon where possible or define key terms. 

Guidelines by Submission Type

Poster Requirements

Size: 36″ × 48″ (horizontal) or 36″ × 48″ (vertical). 

File format for review/publication: PDF (preferred), minimum 300 dpi; fonts embedded. 

Design: Legible hierarchy; contrast compliant; include alt-text equivalents in a separate doc for any figures if selected for publication. 

Paper Requirements

Length: 2,500–5,000 words (excluding references, tables/figures, appendices). Short research notes: 1,500–2,500 words. 

Formatting:  

  • Use a common academic style appropriate to your field (MLA, APA, Chicago, IEEE, etc.). Be consistent. 
  • 12-pt readable font, double-spaced, 1″ margins, page numbers. 

Figures/Tables: High-resolution images (300 dpi) labeled and cited; supply captions and alt text. 

Data/Code Appendix (if applicable): Provide a brief data/code availability statement and repository link (open or controlled) or an explanation if sharing is not possible. 

Digital Media and Creative Scholarship (Websites, Videos, Infographics, Apps, Podcasts, etc.) Requirements

Description document (1–2 pages):  

  • Project overview, goals, audience, methodology/production workflow, references, and technologies used. 
  • Accessibility statement (captions/transcripts, color contrast, keyboard navigation, etc.). 

Runtime/Length (as applicable):  

  • Videos: 5–15 minutes; captions required. 
  • Podcasts/Audio: 5–15 minutes; transcript required. 
  • Interactive/Apps: Provide demo video (3–5 minutes) or test build + instructions. 
  • Infographics: 1080×1920 (vertical) or 1920×1080 (horizontal) PNG/PDF at 300 dpi. 

Submission package:  

  • Public or unlisted link (preferred) and a downloadable asset if feasible. 
  • Include alt text for key visuals; ensure color contrast and legibility. 
  • Any third-party assets (images, music, code libraries) must have proper permissions/credits.

Conference Panel Requirements

Panel proposal (600–900 words) including:  

  • Panel title and 100-word overview for the program 
  • Rationale and theme; disciplinary intersections 
  • 3–4 individual presentation abstracts (150–200 words each) 
  • Faculty sponsor and student participants 
  • Intended format (papers, roundtable, lightning talks, demo) and time needs (standard is 20 minutes)