Relaxed Research: Newhouse Event Brings Together Student Researchers in Low-Pressure Environment

Delivering a presentation at a research conference can be a stressful task for some students.  

A new event at the Newhouse School aimed to encourage the development of new ideas and create a culture of interdisciplinary investigation, but in a more casual and collaborative atmosphere.  

“Springboard: The Newhouse Academic Un-conference” brought together Newhouse doctoral students as well as students from five other universities to explore researchers’ questions across academic disciplines to spark new research opportunities. Attendees did not have to prepare or submit papers in advance, relieving them of the stress and expectations of a traditional research conference. 

The gathering, conceived by 12 Newhouse Ph.D. students, “came from the desire to meet new people, collaborate and move forward in the direction of finding a research agenda together,” said Michelle Johnson, lead chair of the Ph.D. student planning committee.  

Johnson said she and 11 other doctoral students wanted to create a space for researchers to meet other early-career researchers and to “springboard” new ideas.  

The conference was held in April, though many the presenters hope their discussion topics blossom into more than just ideas. The Office of Research and Creative Activity plans to fund ideas developed at Springboard, ideas like evaluating public communications products, discourse surrounding military contracts and cross-cultural gender representation on streaming series. 

With the conference at the end of the spring semester and students focused on finishing up classes, Johnson said the office expects applications for funding will start coming through this fall. 

“We provided an event to generate possibilities, a group of people willing to work on them and now some money to actually do the research,” Johnson said. 

About 30 students, including those from other universities such as Buffalo State, Howard and Bowling Green traveled to Syracuse to take part in the weekend event consisting of panels, mini-lectures, group workshops and networking sessions.  

Delivering opening remarks, Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato said research plays an important role in finding solutions to issues that affect the communications field.  

“We must create new knowledge, and help advance thought leadership and meaningful, productive conversation,” Lodato said.  

Research “coaches,” including Newhouse faculty members Rebecca Ortiz, Makana Chock and Anne Osborne, drew from their own research experience to guide the teams. Students then pitched their ideas to a review panel for feedback. 

Lars Willnat, a communications professor and the John Ben Snow Endowed Research Chair, sponsored Springboard and participated in the feedback panel. He said he enjoyed hearing students’ original ideas and seeing the product of the conference at the end.  

“Springboard achieved what I had in mind, making connections with students from other universities and talking about research,” Willnat said. “I think it went really well!”  

Johnson expressed the importance of generous, fostering academic spaces like Springboard. “There are other conferences that are designed to show your finished work or in-progress work,” she said, “but there is nothing out there to generate new work. We created that space.”