The second annual Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Student Symposium is taking place from Thursday, April 26 to Saturday, April 28, 2012 in the ARC Ballroom. Terri Harris, a graduate student in the Community Development Graduate Group, is helping organize the upcoming symposium. “For three days, graduate and professional students from across the UC Davis campus will share their research and interests, and work with one another,” said Harris. Work from students across campus departments and programs include poster presentations on Thursday, talks and performances on Friday and multidisciplinary panels on Saturday, among other project to be on display during the weekend. To meet the demand, the visual arts competition will be expanded this year.

“This event sheds light to the magnitude and caliber of research being conducted by graduate students at UC Davis,” said Lisceth Cruz, the Graduate Student Assistant to the Chancellor and Provost, who is also helping plan the event. “It provides a space for innovation and cross-disciplinary learning. This event brings awareness of the impact our students are making in academia and the affect this work has on everyday life. Our graduate students are stellar and this event is just one way to showcase their work.”

The symposium will also offer keynote speakers and workshops that are open to participants and attendees.  “The goal of the Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Student Symposium is to bring attention to the innovative research being conducted, as well as to build community among students,” Cruz said.

In the past, there was a symposium that only featured the research of graduate students. In 2010, with the support of Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi, the symposium was greatly expanded and made inclusive. Students from UC Davis professional schools are now also active participants. The deans from colleges across campus also supported the event last year and the organizers of the event were able to award $20,000 in prizes to winning presenters. There were about 160 presentations showcased last year.

Harris sees her involvement as an opportunity to meet the campus community. “The symposium is a wonderful collection of intellectuals who are doing awesome work,” Harris says. “Because we’re always working so hard on our research we don’t get a chance to talk to one another, which means we’re missing out on one of the best resources we have at UC Davis as graduate students – each other,” she adds.

Plus, Harris says there is a thrill in seeing so many disciplines stepping outside of their own comfort zone. Students have the chance to speak with people in a general academic audience, which is something they should be prepared for after they graduate – since job hunting may involve the ability to communicate skillfully with people outside of one’s academic discipline. “This event allows graduate students to polish their presentation skills and develop a valuable skill set when they are on the job market or presenting for fellowship funding,” said Cruz.

The symposium also adds to the growing recognition of the importance of interdisciplinary work. Participants will be able to take advantage of a workshop that will provide the tools necessary to give a great interdisciplinary talk. The workshop will help students to start looking at education and society from many angles.

Interested graduate and professional students are encouraged to submit symposium applications early. The winning traditional presenter will be awarded a $5,000 top prize! To apply or for more information, go to the 2012 Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Student Symposium website.

Interested in helping? Volunteers are needed for reading applications and putting together abstracts during the month of February. E-mail Terri Harris if interested.