Undergraduate Research Colloquium

The SPIA Undergraduate Research Colloquium (URC) is an annual event that brings together faculty and students from across SPIA to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and the faculty that facilitate their research. The 2026 URC will take place at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies on April 24th, 2026.

Students may submit research projects completed or currently in progress, as part of course work, CURO, internships, or independent research. We invite paper and poster presentation submissions on research drawing from all academic concentrations within SPIA including American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, Criminal Justice, and Public Administration.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

Schedule of Panel Presentations & Poster Sessions −+

The schedule for the 2026 SPIA Undergraduate Colloquium is linked here: 2026_URC_program.

Please send all questions to [email protected].

Venue Information −+

The 2026 SPIA Undergraduate Research Colloquium will take place at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies on April 24th, 2026 with a live streaming option available for audience members. If you are interested in watching the panel sessions via live stream, please register prior to the event.

Information for visitors:

Parking for the Russell Special Collections Library can be found in the Hull Street and the Tate Center parking decks.

If you are looking for places to eat while you are in Athens:

Downtown Athens is about an 11 minute walk or a 5 minute drive from the Special Collections Library. There are several restaurants on Broad Street.

If you would like to stay on campus: the Tate Student Center (about a 9 minute walk) offers Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, Niche Pizza, and Barberitos.

For a tour of the Special Collections Libraries, see here. They currently feature exhibits on the 1996 Olympics and on bridal designer Anne Barge.

Information for Participants −+

Students may apply to present their research as part of a PANEL or POSTER session. Applications are typically due in mid February.

Students who are selected for a panel will prepare a formal 7-8 minute presentation on their research. Each panel will have four presenters, a chair who will keep time, and a Q + A session with the audience following presentations. Full drafts of papers presented will need to be circulated to URC staff prior to the event.

Students who are selected for a poster session will display their research and answer questions from visitors of the event. The poster session is ideal for those who have research that is currently in progress and will not be completed by the time of the colloquium.

Information regarding the presentation format and times will be sent out after acceptance decisions, along with guidelines for making a poster and a panel presentation. Any questions that you may have regarding the event can be directed to Nicole Anderson, Graduate Student Assistant, at [email protected], or Dr. Maryann Gallagher, Coordinating Director, at [email protected].

To Apply −+

Applications for the 2026 SPIA Undergraduate Colloquium are now closed.

Please send all questions to [email protected].

Contact Information −+

For additional details or questions, please reach out to: