Student Pugwash USA (SPUSA)

Scientific Research Poster Contest

Student Pugwash USA is pleased to invite participants of the 2007 National Conference to submit academic research in their area of study.

Eligibility

Any undergraduate or graduate student attending the National Conference is eligible to submit an abstract and present a research poster at the conference. (High school students interested in submitting research are invited to do so in the undergraduate category.)
The student presenting the research should be one of the primary authors of the research.
All disciplines relating to science including the social sciences, technology, and engineering are welcome.

If you have questions regarding the eligibility of your research please email the national office at contact@spusa.org.

Deadline

Abstracts are due April 1^st. Posters should be submitted in person by 4:00 pm Thursday April 12^th.

Procedure

Abstract Submission: To reserve a place in the contest, students must electronically submit an abstract of 250 words or less describing their research. Abstracts can be submitted at the time of registration or can be emailed to contact@spusa.org after the student has registered. Abstracts must be received no later than April 1^st.

Abstract Format: The abstract should include the names of the researchers and/or contributing researcher advisors. Other suggested items to include in your abstract:

Clear research statement/hypothesis
Brief statement of research methodologies
Brief statement of research conclusions
Sense of how the research fits into the bigger picture or the social/ethical implications of the research

Registration Discount:

Students who submit abstracts before the April 1^st deadline and arrive on time to present their poster at the Thursday evening reception (April 12^th) will receive a $20 refund on their registration.

Poster Presentation Session:

Participants must arrive by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 12^th for their poster to be submitted for judging.
Participants will be asked to stand by their poster during a portion of Thursday night's reception to answer questions. Students of varying levels and many disciplines will be attending the conference, so we encourage you to be prepared to explain your research in a way that is easily comprehensible.

Adherence to theme

Student Pugwash was founded with the goal of encouraging students to examine the ethical implications of their work and act in a socially responsible way. With that mission in mind, posters must highlight social or ethical dilemmas in science, technology, or policy.

For example:

Does your field of research have a potential for dual use?
How will your field of research benefit society?
Can you foresee a beneficial product that could result directly or indirectly from your research?
Could your research or its applications be used for environmental or peaceful gain?
Could your research provide information for policy formulation by the government?
For more abstract research: how will your research advance human knowledge and understanding? How will it benefit science?

Don’t be discouraged if these connections are not immediately obvious to you. We encourage you to learn to think in a new way about your work, looking into the future at the larger picture in which your research fits.

Research submissions relating directly to the theme of the conference are especially encouraged

Examples:

Statistical or sociological research on political interference in science; public health related research into health threats in which the best available science has been ignored or distorted (for example, particulate matter research)
Research in lab bench ethics, conflicts of interest, or other related area.
Poster presentations regarding the involvement of scientists in public policy, the need for student scientists to be more involved in policy and ethics, whistleblowing, or other projects relevant to the conference theme.

Size Limit

Your poster should be no larger than 4'x4'.

Judging and Prizes

Posters will be judged on their adherence to theme and scientific merit. Prizes will be awarded for 'outstanding articulation of the integrity of science theme' in both the graduate and undergraduate categories. Monetary prizes will be awarded for the top winners.

Questions about the poster contest? Email contact@spusa.org.

Creative Arts Contest

Participants of the 2007 National Conference are invited to submit to the arts contest:

A piece of visual art (such as a painting, cartoon, or drawing)
A flash video or video of 5 minutes or less
An essay of 1,000 words or less
A Poem

Theme

Promoting Integrity in Science: Engaging Student Scientists

Procedure

Submit Description: Participants interested in submitting a piece of art to the contest must electronically submit a description of 250 words or less describing the artwork and how it relates to the theme. Other things to include in your description: title, year work was completed, description of artist, medium of art, dimensions, and what motivated you to create this piece of art.
Deadline: You must submit a description of your artwork at the time of registration or via email to contact@spusa.org by April 1^st. Posters should be submitted in person by 4:00 pm Thursday April 12^th.
Presentation Session: Participants must arrive by 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 12^th with their artwork for it to be submitted for judging. Participants will be asked to present their project during a portion of Thursday night's reception and answer questions.
Registration Discount: Students who submit descriptions before the April 1^st deadline and arrive to present their artwork at the Thursday evening reception (April 12^th) will receive a $20 refund on their registration.

Adherence to theme

Artwork should relate directly to the theme “Promoting Integrity in Science: Engaging Student Scientists.” Possible categories that relate to this theme include, but are not limited to:

How politics affects science
Financial conflicts of interest in scientific research
Dual use research concerns
How science can be used for environmental or peaceful gain
How science advances human knowledge and understanding
Whistleblowing in science
Scientific Research Ethics

Judging

Artwork will be judged based on its articulation of the theme, creativity, and artistic merit.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for the work that best serves to amplify public understanding of the integrity of science issue.

Questions about the arts contest? Email contact@spusa.org.