The RAD Conference is held twice each year, in May and December. 

Collaborative Research

Student Scholarship, Research and Creativity

Collaborative research is widely and increasingly recognized as a high-impact educational practice, and the RAD conference is one of the more visible examples of Webster's commitment to this important aspect of student scholarship. Faculty, students and administrators are encouraged to attend RAD conference sessions in order to support students and recognize the hard work that has gone into their projects.

Research Across Disciplines, Webster University logo

Research Across Disciplines (RAD) Conference

Transcript

[Subtle Electronic music plays]

[Footage of students and instructors gathered in the University Center with several poster presentations]

Text on screen: Webster University: Research Across Disciplines (RAD)

Student Nick K.: RAD or the Research Across Disciplines conference is a conference that we bring in students, and occasionally we bring in professors, to talk about their research. Getting in front of a crowd can be really scary, but after the first couple of times that I've personally done it, it's a lot easier. It gives public speaking experience for sure.

[Footage of a student presenting a research study in front of a crowd]

Student Dashauna M.: Webster is really good at having you present in front of people, so it wasn't bad at all because it's like they prepare you, whether it's in front of the staff or in front of your peers.

[Footage of Dashauna presenting a research project about bacteriophages in front of a crowd]

Student Muaz M.: I stepped out of my comfort zone. You can experiment. You can try things out. It would greatly improve on your personal life, as well as your professional life.

[Footage of Muaz showing a graphic design case study in front of a crowd]

[Footage of a student and professor talking about a poster presentation]

Student Michael H.: I think RAD is a wonderful way to get people to talk about what they do. I feel like if you do not have the ability to communicate, either being your sciences or your art, you aren't going to be able to really go far in your career. And RAD is a great way to get people to learn how to do that.

[Footage of Michael presenting in front of an audience]

[Footage of a student giving an individual poster presentation to a professor]

[Footage of three students speaking on a panel in front of an audience]

Text on screen: Webster University, webster.edu/impact-center

[screen fade to black]

RAD Committee

Group of five Webster faculty and staff stand in line with arms around backs

“The Impact Center is thrilled to be the new home of the RAD conference. We strongly believe in the importance of giving students a space to showcase their work and accomplishments.”

Lindsay McDaniels Swearingen

Assistant Director, Impact Center

RAD Committee, from left to right: Erin Goedereis, Mary Lai Preuss, Salim Ayoub, Sarah McMullin and Lindsay McDaniels Swearingen

Fall 2024 Research Conference

This conference is open to all levels, disciplines and campuses. We look forward to seeing you there.

Our Fall 2024 Keynote Speaker will be announced soon!

researcher presenting poster to group of students
student presenting research poster
researcher explaining research as presented on poster
large set of research posters
student explaining research results shown on poster
group of students examining research poster
student presenting research poster

Previous RAD Conferences

May 2024 Conference

Keynote speaker Dr. Gabriel Cervantes has been an educator for nearly 20 years. During his career, he has served at the elementary, middle and high school levels teaching general education, mathematics and theater arts courses as well as serving as an administrator. As a Gorlok alum, he was an active member of the Webster University community as a resident assistant, student ambassador, Student Government Association representative and the Forensics team competitor. He is currently working as a middle school theater director for Rockwood School District, where he has built up programs in multiple schools by building a strong community of teachers, students and parents, while raising over $25,000 in fundraising efforts to upgrade the program’s technical infrastructure.

Gabriel Cervantes
May 2024 Keynote Speaker

“Gabe continues to give back to Webster: as a Gorlok Gala judge, a Webster Alumni Board member, and active School of Education event participant.”

Gabriel Cervantes
Gabriel Cervantes, PhD

BEd in Elementary Education and Teaching, ’05

December 2023 Conference

The Impact Center hosted the fall Student Showcase: Research Across the Disciplines conference. A total of 37 presenters gathered in the University Center, covering diverse topics from Biology to Finance. The event featured oral presentations, a poster session and a reception following the Keynote Speaker address.

Afton Nelson
December 2023 Keynote Speaker

“My involvement and captivation with research propelled me to conduct my thesis while studying abroad, which ultimately led to completing my master's and (ongoing) PhD in Germany.”

Afton Nelson
Afton Nelson

BSc in Psychology, ’18

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