OCURA 2026 Conference
April 18, 2026
OCURA, c/o Student Life, Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041
About the Conference
OCURA’s First Annual Undergraduate Research Conference “Sparkle in Sync” is a one-day, interdisciplinary research conference showcasing the scholarly and creative work of Occidental College undergraduates and local high school students. Featuring keynote addresses by leading researchers, poster sessions, oral presentations in a single-track format, and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding student work, the conference celebrates the breadth and depth of undergraduate inquiry at Oxy and beyond.
Whether you are presenting your own research, discovering what your peers are working on, exploring what undergraduate research looks like for the first time, or connecting with faculty mentors across departments, this event is for you. All disciplines, all methodologies, and all levels of research experience are welcome. Attendance is free and open to all.
OCURA 2026 Conference Program
Key Dates Timeline
28
submission form live
10
deadline (11:59 PM PT)
13
notifications sent
18
venue setup
18
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Awards Categories
Awards are presented during the closing ceremony. Award recipients receive certificates and recognition on the OCURA website and social media. We do not judge by comparing across disciplines. Each category has its own evaluation criteria..
Poster Awards
Best Overall Poster
Highest combined score across content, presentation, and visual design
Best Visual Design
Exceptional poster layout, graphics, and data visualization
Best Undergraduate Research
Strongest research methodology and scholarly contribution
People’s Choice Award
Audience voting during poster sessions (paper ballots or QR code form)
Oral Presentation Awards
Best Oral Presentation Overall
Highest combined score across all tracks
Best STEM Presentation
Top-scoring presentation in Track A
Best Social Science/Humanities Presentation
Top-scoring presentation in Track B
Best Interdisciplinary Presentation
Top-scoring presentation in Track C
Sponsors & Partners






