Graduate Student Research Symposium

Overview

The Graduate School (TGS), in collaboration with the Graduate Student Association (GSA), is proud to carry on the tradition of providing students with the opportunity to showcase their research accomplishments on the MSU campus by sponsoring the annual Graduate Student Research Symposium (GSRS).

The 30th GSRS will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Colvard Student Union. Please join us for 5-minute flash talks and poster sessions from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Registration will be open September 1 through October 2.

The 31st GSRS will be held Saturday, February 27th, 2027, at the Old Main Academic Center. Please join us for oral and poster sessions from 8 AM to 4 PM. Registration will be open January 13 through February 12.

Registration link is coming soon!

Graduate Student Research Symposium

The Graduate Student Research Symposium (GSRS) is an interdisciplinary forum comprised of a series of oral and poster presentations by graduate students from across the MSU campus. The GSRS was designed to highlight the quality and variety of graduate-level research at MSU. The GSRS serves as an opportunity for graduate students to gain experience giving presentations and to receive meaningful feedback from an evaluative panel of established MSU faculty members and researchers in a conference-style venue.

The symposium, which is open to the entire Mississippi State University community, provides graduate students an opportunity to present their research and innovative ideas to a broad audience. GSRS presenters must be registered, full-time MSU graduate students who are conducting thesis or dissertation research, and in good academic standing at the time of abstract submission. Selected participants will receive monetary awards in five categories.

First place winners will receive a $150 award, and second place will receive a $75 award in each of the following categories for both flash talks and poster presentations:

Agriculture and Life Sciences
Natural Sciences in Arts and Sciences
Humanities in Arts and Sciences, Education, Business, and Architecture, Art and Design
Engineering
Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine

FALL 2026 SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW AND GUIDELINES

The 2026 Fall Graduate Research Symposium will include 5-minute flash talks and poster presentations.

September 1	Registration Opens
October 2	Abstract and registration due by 11:59 p.m.
October 14	Event schedule and presentation map will be sent
October 16	Symposium

Fall 2026 Schedule

Flash Talks

(9:00 – 10:00 AM) Agriculture and Life Sciences
(10:15 – 11:15 AM) Natural Sciences in Arts and Sciences
(11:30 – 12:00 PM) Flash Networking
(12:00 – 1:00 PM) Lunch Break
(1:00 – 2:00 PM) Humanities in Arts and Sciences, Education, Business, and Architecture, Art and Design
(2:15 – 3:15 PM) Engineering
(3:30 – 4:30 PM) Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine

Poster Sessions

(9:00 – 10:00 AM) Natural Sciences in Arts and Sciences
(10:15 – 11:15 AM) Agriculture and Life Sciences
(11:30 – 12:00 PM) Flash Networking
(12:00 – 1:00 PM) Lunch Break
(1:00 – 2:00 PM) Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine
(2:15 – 3:15 PM) Humanities in Arts and Sciences, Education, Business, and Architecture, Art and Design
(3:30 – 4:30 PM) Engineering

Presentation Types

5-MINUTE FLASH TALK SESSIONS (Fall 2026 only)

A flash talk is a very short presentation lasting only 5 minutes in which you present a scientific concept or idea in a manner understandable to those outside your immediate field. Participants may use up to five slides. Only one presenter per flash talk. There will be no questions from the audience. The talk should cover a research project and the following areas: Introduction, Methodology, Results, Recommendation. Presentations exceeding 5 minutes will be stopped by the moderator and disqualified from winning.

For more information click here.

POSTER PRESENTATION SESSION (Available Fall and Spring)

Posters should not exceed 32" (h) by 40" (w) (or vise versa) in dimension. Presenters should bring any supplies needed to set up posters (Binder clips, Tape, etc). Easels and foam backboards will be provided for the posters. Any poster not removed at the end of the session will be held for one week in the Graduate School Office and then discarded. Presenters must be present at the designated time to answer questions during the Poster Competition in order to be eligible to compete for awards.

ORAL PRESENTATION SESSION (Spring 2027 only)

Participants will be allowed 10-12 minutes in length for their oral presentation, with 3-5 minutes allowed for questions at the end of the session. If a presenter passes the 12-minute mark, they will be disqualified from winning. Presentations may take the form of video, PowerPoint, or an alternative form of media if approved by the GSA ahead of time. Presenters must be present at the designated time to be eligible to compete for awards. Presenters will receive additional information about their specific presentation time before the symposium.

ELIGIBILITY

All Master’s and PhD students at MSU in all programs are invited
No more than two presenters per project
Benefits-eligible employees are not eligible to win monetary prizes

WHAT RESOURCES CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF?

The Mitchell Memorial Library will be offering workshops to help you prepare and practice your presentation.

Additionally, the Library AV studio is available to you to record your presentation for practice purposes. Please visit http://lib.msstate.edu/dmc/av-studio/ to learn more or make a studio reservation. And the Maxxsouth Digital Media Center can print your posters at a lower cost than local competitors (please allow 3 days for printing). More information here: https://www.library.msstate.edu/services/print

FACULTY JUDGES VOLUNTEERS

Faculty who would like to participate as judges for the Fall 2026 Graduate Student Symposium, please register here.

Past Graduate Research Symposium Programs:

For questions, please contact the Graduate Student Association at GSA@grad.msstate.edu, or

the Graduate School at development@grad.msstate.edu.