Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, & Innovation

What is the Symposium on Student Research, Creative Activities, and Innovation (SRCI)? 

SRCI is CSUSM’s annual campus-wide showcase and selection event for the CSU Student Research Competition. Students from all disciplines present original research, creative work, and innovation projects.

Through this juried competition, ten outstanding projects are chosen to represent CSUSM at the statewide CSU Student Research Competition—hosted on our own campus in 2027—giving our delegates the chance to compete at home while showcasing our campus and culture.

Categories

Behavioral, Social Sciences, and Public Administration; Biological and Agricultural Sciences; Business, Economics, and Hospitality Management; Creative Arts and Design; Education; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Nutrition, and Clinical Sciences; Humanities and Letters; Interdisciplinary; Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

2027 CSU Student Research Competition

In April 2027, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) will proudly host the 41st Annual California State University Student Research Competition right here on our campus. This prestigious, three-day statewide event showcases outstanding research, scholarship, and creative work by undergraduate and graduate students across the CSU campuses.

As host, CSUSM is excited to welcome students, faculty, and guests from across the state to experience our vibrant campus firsthand. The competition offers a unique opportunity to not only highlight exceptional student work, but also to showcase our campus, culture, and the dynamic academic community that defines CSUSM.

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Application Information

Apply to showcase your work, build your presentation experience, and compete for the opportunity to represent CSUSM on the statewide stage.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: February 8, 2027
• Event Date: February 26, 2027

• Application Process
  • Review Participation Criteria: Ensure you understand the requirements. 
  • Log into InfoReady: If you don't have an account, you'll be prompted to create one. 
  • Complete the Application: Submit your written summary and include verification of faculty mentor approval. Applications without faculty approval will not be accepted. Be sure your submission is final, as revisions will not be considered.
  • Use Your School Email: Check it regularly for important updates.
  • Group Submissions:
    • Limit of two presenters per project.
    • Designate one submitter: One team member should complete and submit the application.
    • List co-presenters: Include the names and emails of any additional presenters (double-check spelling).
    • Additional authors: Contributors who are not presenting should be included in the written summary and acknowledged in the presentation but do not need to be listed in the application form.
• Written Summary Guidelines

  Haven't written a project summary/abstract before? 

  Different disciplines have different approaches for the organization of the project narrative/description (or "body" of the paper). One common approach is the IMRaD format, but this may not be the format most common in your discipline. 

  • • Introduction – what is the topic; why study it? (may include a thesis statement and/or research question)
    • Materials & Methods – how was the research conducted?
    • Results – what was found in the research?
    • Discussion & Conclusions – what do the findings mean?

  Note: It is important to communicate your research clearly and effectively to a general audience. 

  Check-out: 

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison: Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper (includes sample abstracts from the humanities, social sciences, and sciences)
  • SACNAS: How to Write a Successful Abstract (Webinar) 
  • Published papers in your discipline that have a project summary/abstract
    
• Faculty Approval Guidelines

  All applications must include a faculty mentor approval document uploaded in InfoReady. This can be an email, signed letter, or other written statement from your faculty mentor.

  The approval must include:

  • Faculty mentor’s name and contact information
  • Title of the presentation/project
  • Names of all student presenters
  • A clear statement indicating the faculty mentor’s review, acknowledgment, and approval of the project and its submission

  Submissions without valid faculty mentor approval will not be accepted.

• Oral Presentation Guidelines

  Students will present their work orally before a jury and audience. Each student will have ten minutes for an oral presentation of their work and three minutes to listen and respond to judges and audience questions. It is expected that a student will not make a presentation by simply reading directly from the written summary.

  All entrants may use audiovisual materials as appropriate, and presenters are encouraged to use delivery techniques that promote interaction with the audience.

  Entrants in the Creative Arts and Design category may present an audio and/or visual recording of a performance they have given or a work they have created; their oral presentation should focus on the rationale and historical context underlying their interpretation of the material.

  Note: It is important to communicate your research clearly and effectively to a general audience. 

• Awards, Travel, and Delegate Expectations

  Top presentations will receive a cash award and the opportunity for a team member to represent CSUSM as a delegate at the CSU Student Research Competition. This prestigious event showcases outstanding undergraduate and graduate research across all CSU campuses. 

  Student Delegate Expectations: 

  If selected to advance, delegates are expected to: 

  • Attend their full presentation session
  • Support fellow CSUSM students by attending at least one additional session
  • Participate in the closing awards ceremony

  Note: Delegates who are unable to meet these expectations may be replaced by an alternate. 

Event information

Participant Information

• Prep Session

  Prior to the event, we will be hosting a session to help you better prepare with tips on presentation, PowerPoint dos and don’ts, logistics, and event statewide competition guidelines.  

  Date:  February TBD, 2027

  Time: 12:00-12:50 pm 

  Location: TBD

  Presenter:  Richard Armenta

• Resources
  • Resource Page
  • Participation Criteria
• Event Agenda
  • TBD pm Student Session Check-In
  • TBD pm Room instructions and introductions
  • TBD pm Oral Presentations Begin 
  • TBD pm Reception
  • TBD pm Awards Ceremony in MARK 125
• CSUSM Delegate Coaching Session
  After delegates are selected, CSUSM will offer individual 20-minute coaching sessions for the student delegates. While you will continue to practice with your research mentor, these sessions provide an additional opportunity to refine and strengthen your presentation. Details will be sent to your student email following the event.
• Special Accommodations or Accessibility
  Individuals with disabilities who would like to attend this event, please contact ogsr@csusm.edu or call 760-750-4066 regarding any special accommodation needs. It is requested that individuals requiring auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify the event sponsor at least seven working days in advance. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner

Judges & Mentors

Be a part of something special by volunteering as a judge or moderator! Your involvement can make a huge difference in our student's success while giving you the chance to engage with innovative ideas, creative projects, and impactful research.

• Judge Details

  We are seeking judges who can commit to the following: 

  • Before the event: Review the participant papers for your assigned room.
  • During the event: Evaluate and rank oral presentations, and select a finalist and runner-up from your room

  CSUSM graduate students are eligible to serve as judges

  If this sounds right for you, please sign up (Form coming soon) 

  Note: Judges’ areas of expertise may not always align exactly with the disciplinary category they are assigned to evaluate.

  Judge Information Video

• Moderator Details

  Moderator responsibilities:

  • Timekeeping: Ensure presenters stay within their allotted time
  • Room management: Keep sessions running smoothly and on schedule
  • Introductions: Welcome attendees and introduce judges and presenters

  CSUSM undergraduate students are eligible to serve as moderators.

  If this sounds like a good fit, please sign up (form coming soon).

  Moderator Information Video

Symposium Sessions

Special Accommodations or Accessibility

Individuals with disabilities who would like to attend this event, please contact ogsr@csusm.edu or call 760-750-4066 regarding any special accommodation needs. It is requested that individuals requiring auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify the event sponsor at least seven working days in advance. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.