Annual research symposium shifts to virtual venue

On Nov. 6, Allison Galloup, associate professor and collections & initiatives librarian at the University of North Georgia (UNG), will present her research project in a new way.

Armed with a large poster and a 4-minute speech, she will share the results of a research project about "Library art exhibits as an engagement tool" during the sixth Symposium on Innovation, Research, and Engagement (SOIRE) at the University of North Georgia (UNG).

Usually, UNG faculty and staff members deliver their poster demonstrations in person. Instead, they will present them in a virtual SOIRE.

"I am interested in seeing the number and kind of questions we will get since it is virtual this time," Galloup said.

The free annual event will be 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, on Zoom. Registration is required to attend the virtual event. Visit the SOIRE webpage and click on the registration link.

In previous years, SOIRE was held on UNG's Dahlonega or Gainesville campuses on a rotating basis to showcase faculty and staff scholarship. This year's COVID-19 pandemic required the research-based symposium to shift to online.

Dr. Andy Novobilski, associate provost for research and engagement and chief research officer, said the university chose to continue the SOIRE because research has not stopped at UNG.

"Our faculty deserve the opportunity to shine," he said. "Moving SOIRE to an online format allows us to try new ways to showcase our faculty and staff contributions to lifelong learning in ways we couldn't do in a single meeting place. First and foremost, it demonstrates our faculty and staff's resilience and willingness to adapt and engage."

Thanks to adaptable faculty and staff members and technological advances, SOIRE will be presented with live sessions on Zoom, and pre-recorded productions through NOIR.

Live performances will be streamed from 10-11:30 a.m. Pre-recorded poster sessions will be about 3-5 minutes and accessible after the live-stream performances. They will remain available on NOIR for the rest of day, allowing viewers to select the ones they want to view.

"Having the presentations recorded allows the viewer to access them at their convenience," Novobilski said.

Presenters and their topics include:

• Kathryn Quinto – "Nationally Competitive Scholarships 'Bootcamp' Course"
• Rima Gibbings – "Using The Accountability Shared Model To Support Connected Care"
• Juman Al Bukhari – "Leadership Approaches, Styles, & Theories During Times of Crisis"
• Ramneet Kaur – "Effect of natural products on the growth of docetaxel resistant androgen independent prostate cancer cells expressing cancer stem cell markers"
• Kimberly Davidson – "Incorporating Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in a Service Learning Project"
• Ryan Hipp – "Why Athletic Trainers Do Not Use Squat Based Gradable Movement Screens"
• Clay Kitchings – "College Algebra Boot Camp: Initial Implementation"
• William Black – "From Pathways to Envisioned Gateways: A Retrospective Look at the Pathways Commission Initiative after Ten Years"
• Allison Galloup – "Library art exhibits as an engagement tool"
• Ahmad Ghafarian – "Ransomware Detection and Prevention Using Memory Forensics"
• Phillip Mitchell – "The Moravians among the Cherokee"
• Ning Wang – "A Dynamic Analysis of the Demand for Life Insurance during the 2008 Financial Crisis"

The online presentation also will allow the public to glimpse at the research projects happening at UNG.