The 2025 OLPD Student Research Conference will be held on Friday, February 28th, 2025. This annual conference is dedicated to supporting your growth as scholars and professionals, providing a platform to showcase your research, engage with peers, and develop your academic identity. Whether you’re continuing your journey with us or just getting started, we’re thrilled to have you as part of our OLPD community.
What is the OLPD Student Research Conference?
The OLPD Student Research Conference is designed for graduate students to share their research in a supportive and engaging environment. Whether it’s a project you’ve already presented elsewhere or new work you’re excited to share, this conference gives you the chance to showcase your ideas, gain feedback, and build your confidence in presenting at professional conferences.
This Year’s Theme: “Igniting the Future: Empowering the New Generation of Scholars and Researchers in Changing Times”
The 2025 OLPD Student Research Conference is dedicated to fostering a dynamic space for growth and empowerment, designed specifically for OLPD graduate students. Recognizing the importance of providing opportunities for students to practice and experience the environment of professional conferences, this event serves as a platform for showcasing their research, engaging with peers, and developing their academic and professional identities.
This year’s theme, “Igniting the Future: Empowering the New Generation of Scholars and Researchers in Changing Times,” underscores the focus on the experiential journey of becoming a scholar. The conference is crafted with the development of OLPD graduate students in mind, offering a supportive and inclusive environment that welcomes a diverse range of academic topics. Presenters are encouraged to explore and share their research across various fields within OLPD and also how they will utilize the research moving forward.
We invite you to submit what you have submitted to other conferences or programs or new work that you are excited to share.
Acknowledging the diverse themes and expectations of other professional conferences in which our OLPD peers participate, the 2025 OLPD Student Research Conference is designed with flexibility. While our subthemes are adaptable to align with the major conferences across the five fields, they are not limited or confined to them. This approach empowers participants by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and networks necessary to thrive as emerging scholars and researchers, regardless of the specific professional settings they encounter.
Important Dates:
- Conference Date: Friday, February 28th, 2025
- Proposal Submission Window: October 15 – December 15, 2024
We welcome submissions in a variety of formats, including:
- Research presented at other conferences
- Papers written for class
- Faculty research collaborations
- Pilot studies, dissertation/thesis work, and more!
Why Participate?
This is a fantastic opportunity to share your work in a friendly and supportive space. You’ll receive valuable feedback, connect with fellow students and faculty, and develop skills that will be useful in future professional settings. It’s also a great way to expand your academic network and deepen your involvement in our vibrant community of emerging scholars.
We can’t wait to see the exciting research you’ll bring to the conference! If you have any questions or need more information about submitting a proposal, feel free to reach out to us. Let’s make this year a memorable one full of learning, growth, and success!
Wishing you all the best for a fantastic fall semester.
Warmly,
Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development Student Research Conference Planning Committee
