Academic Festival

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More Information

Showcase your work. Share your ideas. Celebrate your impact.Academic Festival

The Academic Festival is Sacred Heart University’s annual, University-wide celebration of student research, scholarship and creative achievement. Hosted by the Committee for Student Research, the Festival brings together undergraduate and graduate students from across disciplines to present the work they have been developing in classrooms, labs, studios and communities.

Whether you are completing a senior thesis, collaborating on a research project or creating original artistic or design work, the Academic Festival is an opportunity to share your work with the SHU community—and beyond.

2026 Academic Festival at a Glance

Date: Friday, April 26, 2026
Location: West Campus

  • Student Poster Session | Noon-2 p.m.
  • Awards Ceremony and Reception will immediately follow poster session

Students completing thesis-level work are also encouraged to submit proposals for paper presentations, which will be scheduled throughout the week leading up to the poster session.

Additional Information

Both undergraduate and graduate students are invited to participate.

You may present:

  • As an individual or as part of a team
  • Research, scholarship, creative work or design projects
  • Work in progress, provided it will be substantially complete by the Festival

Participation is open to students from all Colleges and disciplines.

Students who participate may elect to be considered for Academic Festival Awards, which recognize excellence in student research and creative work. Students may choose up to two award categories.

Award Categories

  • Best Writing
  • Best Multidisciplinary Research or Collaboration
  • Best Visuals
  • Most Creative
  • Most Scholarly Impact or Potential
  • Best Technology Prototype

Award recipients will be recognized at the Festival Awards Ceremony following the poster session.

  • Intent to Participate due: Friday, March 22, 2026
  • Best Writing Award submissions due: Friday, April 5, 2026
  • Final posters and papers due: Friday, April 12, 2026

All applications for the 2026 Academic Festival are submitted through SHU’s new Research & Academic Opportunities Hub (RAO Hub) using your Sacred Heart University Log in.

Application Overview

The application process includes:

  • Submitting an “Intent to Participate” with a working title and project abstract
  • Uploading final posters or papers after acceptance

Accepted projects will be featured on the University’s Student Research Portal, where they will be visible to the SHU community and external audiences.

Learn more and apply through RAO Hub: Academic Festival Application.

Accepted Academic Festival projects will be featured on the University’s new Student Research Portal, an online hub for student research, creative work, funding opportunities and resources. (link to come)

Past student projects can be found on the Academic Festival Digital Commons website.

Questions?

For questions about the Academic Festival or the application process, email RSP@sacredheart.edu.