The U of A Festival of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (FURCA) is URI’s annual celebration of all things undergraduate research!
Why attend FURCA?
Current undergraduate researchers
This is your chance to shine! FURCA provides a supportive, low-stakes environment for students to share their research with a diverse audience of students, faculty, and alumni from across all disciplines. Presenting at FURCA is a great way to practice your presentation skills, get feedback on your work, add to your CV, and maybe even win some cash!
Prospective undergraduate researchers
Curious about undergraduate research and how to get started? FURCA is a great place to see examples of projects that students have been involved in, make connections with other students interested in research, and discover potential opportunities for you to engage in research!
schedule at a glance for FURCA 2025
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
- Poster Presentations (9 - 4 p.m., main floor SUB)
- Oral Presentations (9 - 5 p.m., Cascade Room, Lower Level SUB)
- Opening Remarks and Undergraduate Research Panel Discussion (12 - 1 p.m., SUBStage)
- High School Mixer (6 - 7 p.m., Cascade Room, Lower Level SUB)
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
- Poster Presentations (9 - 4 p.m., main floor SUB)
- Oral Presentations (9 - 5 p.m., Cascade Room, Lower Level SUB)
Thursday, March 13, 2025
- Undergraduate Research Involvement Fair (10 - 3 p.m., main floor SUB)
- Keynotes and Awards Reception (5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Cascade Room, Lower Level SUB)
FURCA Student Presentations - Detailed Schedule
This year, more than 160 students will be presenting at FURCA. Poster presentations will take place on the main floor of SUB, and oral presentations will take place in the Cascade Room (Lower Level SUB). Presentations have been scheduled along broad, multi-disciplinary themes, based on the information provided by the presenters in their abstract submissions.
All student presentations are open to the public, and they are a great opportunity for students to see real examples of undergraduate student projects.
View student presentationsFURCA Opening Remarks & Panel Discussion
Tuesday, March 11 | 12 - 1 p.m. | SUBStage
Curious about undergraduate research but unsure how to get started? Do you wonder whether undergraduate research is for you? Following brief opening remarks, we will be hosting a moderated panel discussion featuring undergraduate researchers from a variety of disciplines, who will share their diverse paths into research, and their experience with navigating and overcoming barriers to getting started - from tackling myths and misconceptions about research and who does it, to unpacking the challenges of the research process. This is a great opportunity to hear from students who have been there, and get answers to questions such as, “what does research actually entail?”, “how much does my GPA matter?”, and “how can I find a supervisor?” Start your research journey here!
FURCA Involvement Fair
Thursday, March 13 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Main Floor, SUB
Looking for research opportunities and resources? The FURCA Involvement Fair is your chance to connect with researchers, funding agencies, and other organizations that work with undergraduate (and prospective graduate) researchers. Visit our exhibitors to learn more about research opportunities, funding opportunities and other ways that you can get involved in undergraduate research!
FURCA Keynotes & Awards Reception
Thursday, March 13 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Cascade Room, Lower Level SUB
Join us for an evening of celebration as we wrap up FURCA 2025! Following our two keynote presentations, we will announce the recipients of FURCA presenter awards and the URI Mentor Awards. Refreshments will be served. Please register by February 28th to help us estimate food quantities.
Register for ReceptionFURCA Keynote Speakers
The keynote speakers for this year’s award ceremony are Dr. Nicole Denier and Dr. Adam Parker, who will speak on their research about the relationship between human and artificial intelligence (AI), the impact of AI on labor markets and career pathways, as well as navigating interdisciplinary research journeys in academia.
Nicole Denier
Keynote Title: Working Together to Understand AI and the Future of Work
AI is rapidly evolving and bounding into workplaces, animating enduring debates about the future of work and workers. Will work disappear or transform? Who will benefit or lose out because of AI? Will careers evolve? Findings from a multidisciplinary project on AI and hiring illustrate one avenue for AI to figure into the future, and the great potential of bringing together researchers across disciplines to answer pressing questions about AI and society.
Nicole Denier
Keynote Title: Working Together to Understand AI and the Future of Work
AI is rapidly evolving and bounding into workplaces, animating enduring debates about the future of work and workers. Will work disappear or transform? Who will benefit or lose out because of AI? Will careers evolve? Findings from a multidisciplinary project on AI and hiring illustrate one avenue for AI to figure into the future, and the great potential of bringing together researchers across disciplines to answer pressing questions about AI and society.
Dr. Nicole Denier is an Associate Professor of Sociology with expertise in work, labour markets, and population dynamics. She is currently researching how digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping work and labour markets in Canada.
Adam Parker
Keynote Title: Finding My Way, and What I Found Along the Path
In his keynote talk, “Finding My Way, and What I Found Along the Path” (title in progress), Dr. Parker will reflect on his unique academic journey, sharing insights on navigating interdisciplinary research, overcoming challenges, and discovering new opportunities along the way.
Adam Parker
Keynote Title: Finding My Way, and What I Found Along the Path
In his keynote talk, “Finding My Way, and What I Found Along the Path” (title in progress), Dr. Parker will reflect on his unique academic journey, sharing insights on navigating interdisciplinary research, overcoming challenges, and discovering new opportunities along the way.
Dr. Adam Parker is a postdoctoral fellow in Computing Science, where he explores interdisciplinary connections between health, technology, and data-driven research. Adam received the undergraduate research initiative (URI) research stipend at the University of Alberta in 2013. His passion for research led him to complete a PhD in Rehabilitation Science in 2024.