A Warwick education connecting to a global research community
Just one of the ways Warwick connects education and research is to give our students the chance to share their undergraduate research on a global stage.
Fiona Farnsworth from the IATL Link opens in a new windowteam behind the International Conference of Undergraduate Research Link opens in a new window(ICUR)– held across 18 institutions, over six continents – tells us why it is so important, and what you can do to help increase the impact.
ICUR 2026 will take place on 29 – 30 September 2026. The call for abstracts is now open - submit by 30 March 2026.
How does ICUR help us to deliver the priorities in our Education and Student Experience StrategyLink opens in a new window?
By embedding research into the student experience for all disciplines. We’re giving students the chance to present original work to an international and interdisciplinary audience (without prohibitive costs or travel), which builds confidence and communication skills, and introduces them to a global research community.
It’s so much more than the conference - a year-round training programme supports our students to learn about interdisciplinary engagement and to develop sought-after employability skills.
By showcasing research from learners at the earliest stages of their research careers through ICUR, we’re reinforcing Warwick’s commitment to fostering an inclusive research community and a research-rich student experience. In short, we’re empowering everyone at Warwick to recognise students as contributors to knowledge, not only consumers of it.
What’s your most memorable moment from the conference?
Not one 'moment' so much as an ongoing series of moments, but the bits of ICUR that stick with me are always the conversations. Undergraduates are doing some wildly inventive work on extraordinarily varied topics, and they build these incredible connections when they get to talk about the project they’ve worked on so hard and for so long.
I also just love seeing how presenters light up when they get a great question about their work, especially from someone on a different continent or from a different discipline. That affirmation that their research has real impact and real interest – that they can talk about it in a way that’s accessible and people will listen, and that they’ll learn so much by doing the same in return – is such a powerful thing.
How have departments benefited from their students taking part?
Having students participating in ICUR reflects the strength of teaching and research culture in departments. ICUR also fosters interdisciplinary connections, creating opportunities for collaboration across faculties and with global partners.
"[Workshops run by the ICUR team] help our students to recognise themselves as serious researchers and presenters. As a result of our collaboration, every year some of our students go on to present their brilliant research at ICUR. At least two of these students have then gone on to further study, their confidence bolstered by the supportive and professional environment ICUR offers."
Dr Freya Verlander, Department of Theatre and Performance Studies
What do students tell us about the experience?
“[ICUR] presents a feeling of validation for students and gives them a space to present their research to experienced professionals as well as their peers, who are able to critically ask questions and review the research conducted.”
Abhi, ICUR Presenter (2025)
“The opportunity to share and disseminate your research as an undergraduate can be a really empowering experience, as you can feel like your voice is important in the wider academic community as well as amongst undergraduates. Within that, you’re able to build connections with individuals but also expand your own research and what it could be and look like by learning from others – as well as gaining that experience of what it feels like to put your research into the wider world.”
Mollie, ICUR Presenter (2022)
How can colleagues help increase the impact of ICUR?
Encouragement from members of staff like you gives students the confidence to take that first step! As well as supporting them, you’ll be helping to showcase Warwick research.
We’d love you to:
- Encourage students to submit abstracts and share the call widely within your networks. The ICUR team provide training and mentoring for abstract submission and presentation development.
- Promote ICUR in departmental communications and celebrate participants’ achievements to inspire others.
- Connect with us and promote ICUR on social media (LinkedIn Link opens in a new windowand InstagramLink opens in a new window) and encourage colleagues and students to do the same.
- Encourage your colleagues to attend ICUR on 29 – 30 September 2026 (in the Oculus Building) to demonstrate to students that their work is interesting and valuable.
The call for abstracts for ICUR 2026 is open until 30 March 2026.
Please encourage your students to read more about ICUR here, and to submit their abstractsLink opens in a new window!
