What are the benefits of participating in the University of Toronto Scarborough Undergraduate Research and Creative Forum?
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Forum gives students an opportunity to gain experience disseminating research, knowledge and creative work to an academic community, share their scholarship and experiences with peers, and develop their presentation skills. The Forum also provides the perfect opportunity for students interested in becoming involved in research to learn more about the accomplishments and interests of other University of Toronto Scarborough students.
All selected finalists will receive a notation on their transcript as part of Co-Curricular Record program.
A digital version of finalists' work will be permanently archived in the UTSC Undergraduate & Creative Forum collection in TSpace, the free and secure research repository established by U of T Libraries to disseminate and preserve the scholarly record of the University of Toronto.
What is considered an eligible project for the purposes of the Forum?
This Forum is ideal for all students completing capstone projects, independent research or creative projects, or other faculty-mentored scholarly activities where there are at least preliminary findings to report. Student presentations may include material that has been or will be presented elsewhere; however, students cannot re-submit the same project as in previous years unless there are significant changes or advancements in the final product.
Acceptable submissions for the Forum can vary widely by discipline.
Examples of works may include lab-based, field-based, experimental, or theoretical projects that answer basic and applied questions in your field of study. Or visual art pieces, creative writing, poems, digital storytelling (podcasts, StoryMaps, etc.), or performance-based projects.
If you're not sure if your project is appropriate for this event, check with your liaison librarian.
What should I include in my submission summary?
Summaries should provide an introduction and/or background to the project that offers context of the research, project, art, or scholarly work for the viewer or reader. For all submissions, students should describe the purpose, approaches, and key elements of their work, including any relevant significance or inspiration. This may be through detailing a problem statement or thesis, materials, methodology, subject, key findings, results and analysis, conclusions, implications, and recommendations. Or this may be through a statement that details the inspiration for the work, the meaning the work signifies to the student, any artistic influences or themes, and unique methods employed.
For works still in progress at the time of submission, students should include their anticipated findings and indicate that results and conclusions will be presented at the Forum.
Please see U of T's page on writing abstracts for additional tips.
What kind of help is available to students who want to participate in the Forum?
Contact your liaison librarian for help with research skills, preparing your submission, and creating your final display.
Students are welcome to attend one (or both) of our informal drop-in information sessions outside the library on January 8 & 13 2026 if they have general questions about the proposal or the URCF in general.
Scholarly communication and presentation skills workshops and feedback sessions will also be available to all finalists in March 2026 to help hone their skills as necessary.
What is the timeframe for eligible submissions?
Undergraduate research and creative activities being presented must have been pursued during the current academic year (Summer, Fall, Winter terms). Students cannot submit the same project as last year unless there are significant changes or advancements in the final outcome.
Are group assignments or projects eligible?
University of Toronto Scarborough undergraduate groups or teams may participate in the Forum. Undergraduate students must be the principal investigators or primary creators. All students that contributed to the project must be listed.
Are part-time students eligible?
Yes. All students registered in a University of Toronto Scarborough undergraduate degree program who are in the process of completing that degree are eligible to apply. Undergraduate students must be the principal investigators or primary creators. All students that contributed to the project must be listed.
May I apply to the University of Toronto Scarborough Research and Creative Forum if I work at the University of Toronto Scarborough Library?
Yes. All students registered and completing an undergraduate degree at University of Toronto Scarborough are eligible to apply. Undergraduate students must be the principal investigators or primary creators. All students that contributed to the project must be listed.
May I submit multiple submissions for the Forum?
You may only submit a maximum of one (1) individual submission and one (1) group submission to the Forum.
The person who knows the most about my project is not the course instructor, but a teaching assistant. Must the faculty support come from the instructor in charge of the course?
The faculty support letter must come from either the faculty member or the instructor teaching the course.
What if my project is taking place off-campus? Does the faculty support letter have to come from a University of Toronto Scarborough faculty member?
As long as a student is pursuing their undergraduate degree at University of Toronto Scarborough, the work being done can be with a professor (PI) off-campus. We will accept the support letter from a U of T professor or PI, or your professor at University of Toronto Scarborough, whichever you feel is best suited for your application.
I am a faculty member and have been asked to provide a letter of support for a student. Are there guidelines?
Please see the faculty support form linked under step two of the Application Process section.
What is the application process and timelines?
Please review the Application Process and Important Dates sections for more information.
I am a finalist, what do I need to submit for the Forum?
Finalists will be expected to present their displays summarizing their work to a generalist audience.
Finalists will receive additional information by email upon their acceptance to the Forum.
You will have the opportunity to discuss your final submission during presentation skills workshops and feedback sessions in March (details will be emailed to finalists).
What is the best way to present if we have a group of two or more students?
It’s up to you to decide how you want to present your work – creativity is very welcome! This will be discussed during presentation skills workshops and feedback sessions in March (details will be emailed to finalists).
How do I submit my final display?
Finalists should submit a digital facsimile of their final display via email to nina.adamo@utoronto.ca. If the file is too large to send via standard email, you may choose to use UTSend or upload your file to your OneDrive and then share the link to the file. Additional details will be provided to the finalists in March 2025.
What are the time limits for my presentation?
Finalists must set up their display between 11:30AM - 1:15 PM the day of the Forum. Finalists are expected to be in attendance to present their work for 2 hours, from 1:30PM - 3:30PM, to University of Toronto Scarborough faculty, staff, students, librarians, friends, and family who are invited to browse all the projects. Recognizing that attendees will be moving from project to project, you should aim to have a short presentation (no more than 5 minutes) that succinctly communicates your research or creative project to a general audience.
May I submit the same research or creative project to the University of Toronto Scarborough Undergraduate Research & Creative Prize or the Patricia and Peter Shannon Wilson Undergraduate Research Prize?
No. University of Toronto Scarborough students cannot submit the same assignment to both the Patricia and Peter Shannon Wilson Undergraduate Research Prize and the University of Toronto Scarborough Undergraduate Research and Creative Forum and University of Toronto Scarborough Undergraduate Research & Creative Prize.
However, University of Toronto Scarborough students may submit the same project to both the University of Toronto Scarborough Undergraduate Research & Creative Forum and University of Toronto Scarborough Undergraduate Research & Creative Prize. Please refer to their respective websites for additional information on eligibility and submission criteria for each initiative.
How are finalists selected?
Forum submissions will be reviewed by a committee composed of University of Toronto Scarborough librarians and a representative from the Office of Vice Principal Research and Innovation.
The selection committee will include individuals with a variety of disciplinary knowledge.
The Selection Committee will be looking at the Content, Clarity, and Communication of submissions. The questions below can be used to guide your submission application.
- Content: Does the submission clearly outline the nature, aims, and significance of the work? How does the project fit within the larger context of the discipline/subject area?
- Clarity: Was the submission written in language appropriate for a general audience? Information must be presented in accessible, non-technical, non-specialist language that can be understood by a layperson or non-specialist, as well as by the expert.
- Communication: Are there spelling and grammar mistakes?
How will information about the Forum be communicated?
All URCF application decisions will be communicated via email.
A message will also go out on library social media channels to notify that the finalists have been selected.
An open invitation and various reminders to the University of Toronto Scarborough community to come view the finalists’ work at the URCF will go out via library and campus communication channels approximately 1 week before the event.
What are the important deadlines?
Please review the Important Dates section for more information.
Any other questions?
Contact your liaison librarian.
If you have a disability/health consideration that may require accommodations, please advise Nina Adamo or the AccessAbility Services Office before the submission deadline.