Judges

Poster judging and oral presentations provide an engaging visual route into research; they facilitate discussions and spark new ideas. There is no greater opportunity as an educator than to watch a student or postdoctoral fellow transform into a scholar. As a judge, you will be providing an educational and motivating experience for participants. Show Me Research Week will offer an optional poster and oral presentation competition for students and postdoctoral fellows to participate in. This experience can spark curiosity and a thirst for knowledge and discovery that becomes a force that can change the world.

We are currently seeking judges in all judging categories. You can find additional information on becoming a judge for Show Me Research Week below, and learn about our current judges for this year here.

We are seeking any faculty, staff, professionals, graduate, and postdoctoral fellows with a terminal degree or significant professional experience to judge. Graduate and postdoctoral fellows will only be allowed to judge undergraduate presentations. Qualifying judges will be determined by the head and lead judges in each category. 

Being a judge will involve only a small investment of your time that will be adapted to fit your schedule. Research presentations will be held all day Tuesday, April 18th and Wednesday, April 19th from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, and half a day Thursday, April 20th, 9:00 am - noon. 

We are asking you commit three to six hours of your time over the course of three days for the week, and judge at least five research presentations. If you have the ability to judge more, please let our team know as there is no upper limit. You will be required to attend two meetings prior to the event. These meetings include reviewing the judging rubric and event logistics. 

You can sign up to be a judge for Show Me Research Week here. 

Participants will be split into two categories: sciences and humanities. Within those two categories, will be sub-categories listed below. 

Sciences: 

  • Social & Behavioral Sciences - projects using research methods appropriate to human behavior and social systems including, but not limited to, psychology, anthropology, sociology, education, public health, economics, political sciences, communication studies, journalism, and business.
  • Life Sciences - lab-based, field-based, or theoretical projects answering basic and applied questions in biology, biochemistry, ecology, biomedicine, etc.
  • Physical Sciences & Mathematics - experimental and theoretical research in the natural sciences and mathematical sciences, excluding the life sciences. 
  • Engineering Sciences - experimental and applied research designed to understand and build effective structures, systems, and processes. 

Humanities: 

  • Humanities - projects using methods appropriate to study modern and ancient languages, literature, history, philosophy, religion, culture, journalism and other humanities disciplines. 
  • Artistic Expression - visual art pieces, fashion design, music, theater, and creative writing. Performance-based projects will also be included in this category. 
  • Applied Design - projects that solve a problem with an original design solution including, but not limited to, design projects for theater, architectural studies, photojournalism, graphic design, and advertising. 

When signing up to judge, you will be asked what categories you are comfortable judging. Our lead judges will decide which category you will be placed in. 

RocketJudge is the electronic platform we will be using to judge poster and oral presentations. Shortly before the competition begins, you will receive an email or text containing your unique link to judge. You can use any data equipped device- tablet, computer, cell phone etc. This can be Wifi access or cellular data, and you will not need to download an application. Prior to the event, we will offer an optional training demo session. 

To learn more about RocketJudge, click here. 

Absolutely! You will not judge any of your students and/or postdoctoral fellows during the competition to ensure there is no bias. 

Please contact our team at musmrweek@missouri.edu. 

Please contact our team at musmrweek@missouri.edu.