Laurier to highlight undergraduate research during annual Brantford showcase

Undergraduate research will be at the forefront during a week-long showcase at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus. The annual Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS) highlights creative student projects and the importance of research in professional careers. The showcase takes place from March 9 to 13.

“The range of disciplines studied at the Brantford campus translates into some very remarkable projects in classrooms and throughout the community,” says James Popham, assistant professor in Criminology and ACERS committee chair. “This annual event provides a platform for students to share their work and connect it with the Brantford community.”

The opening event of the showcase will demonstrate the value of research beyond the classroom. A panel of experts will discuss how they leverage research-based knowledge to tackle real-world challenges in their work. The panellists include Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs research advisor Alison Norman, Laurier’s podcaster-in-residence Avery Moore Kloss, Brant United Way executive director Dan Rankin and eSentire senior manager of advanced threat analytics Rob McLeod.

The poster showcase highlighting student research, an ACERS marquee event, takes place on March 12 at One Market. Members of the community are welcome to join as judges and cast their vote for the people’s choice award. If interested in participating, please register with acers@wlu.ca. The posters, which include 40 projects by students, will be on display at One Market throughout the week.

Presentations by participants in Laurier’s Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship program will take place on March 13. Research apprenticeships allow qualified undergraduate students to work with a faculty member on a project of mutual interest.

In addition, Laurier’s Criminology Student Association will host its annual student conference on March 10 in conjunction with ACERS. The conference includes a guest lecture and public talk by David Milgaard, who spent 23 years in prison following a wrongful conviction for rape and murder. Today, Milgaard is an author and community support worker.

Students from Laurier’s History program will host a symposium on March 11, while the Human Rights and Human Diversity Students’ Association will host its annual conference on March 13.

Times and Locations of Events

Monday, March 9

• Student poster exhibit begins. One Market, main level.
• Feature conference: Research Beyond the Classroom panel discussion. Research and Academic Centre West, RCW002, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
• Post-panel networking. Research and Academic Centre West, RCW002, 1 to 2 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10

• Criminology Student Association conference, including a guest lecture by David Milgaard. SC Johnson Building, SCJ127 and lobby, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11

• History program symposium. Carnegie Building, CB100, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Public lecture by David Milgaard hosted by the Criminology Department. Research and Academic Centre West, RCW002, 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, March 12

• ACERS 2020 research/project showcase competition. One Market, main level, noon to 3:30 p.m. This is event is free and open to the public.
• ACERS 2020 award ceremony. One Market, main level, 3:30 to 4 p.m.

Friday, March 13

• Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship presentations, Carnegie Building, CB100, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Human Rights Human Diversity Students’ Association annual conference. Odeon Building, SCJ127, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.