Undergraduate Research Thrives in the Liberal Arts

April symposia sponsored by the Departments of Psychology, Comparative Ethnic Studies, and Women's Studies and by the Asia Program provided opportunities for undergraduate students to present their work to peers and faculty.

The sixth annual Department of Psychology Undergraduate Research Symposium was held on April 25 in the atrium of the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education. Posters featuring original research by psychology students were displayed throughout the event, and a formal poster session and reception gave students the opportunity to discuss their research with attendees. G. Alan Marlatt, professor of psychology and director of the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington, presented "Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention in the Treatment of Addictive Behaviors" in a talk to students and faculty.

The Asia Program hosted the Columbia Valley Undergraduate Asian Studies Research Symposium on April 18 and 19 in the Honors Hall Lounge. The mini-conference for undergraduates from Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon included 3 panels where students presented papers in sessions titled "The Challenges of Economic Development," "Traditions and Transformation of Culture," and "Global Contexts of Identity."

On April 17, the Inqueery Symposium, cosponsored by the Department of Women's Studies and the Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center, was held in the Bundy Reading Room of Avery Hall. The symposium provided a forum for students engaged in interdisciplinary LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) studies to come together to share their research. Undergraduates from all disciplines were invited to submit abstracts on LGBTQ studies topics.

The 2008 CES Undergraduate Student Symposium took place on April 16 in the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education. The poster and presentation session culminated with a talk by WSU alumnus Dr. Herman Gray (M.A. '75, sociology) on his new book project, Nation, Culture, and the Time After Race."