Posters at the Capitol

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About Posters-at-the-Capitol

The Posters-at-the-Capitol event is an annual showcase held in Frankfort, Kentucky, where undergraduate students from Kentucky’s public universities present their faculty-mentored research, scholarly, and creative projects to state legislators and policymakers.

The goal of Posters-at-the-Capitol is to help Kentucky legislators and other stakeholders better understand the importance of undergraduate research in shaping student success, academic engagement, and civic responsibility.

Selected students have the opportunity to connect with both their hometown and university legislators to share the real-world impact of their faculty-mentored work.

Official Event Information Posters at the Capitol – Murray State University (Statewide Sponsor)

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2026 WKU Participants

Congratulations to the four WKU undergraduates selected to represent the university at the 2026 Posters-at-the-Capitol event!

View 2026 WKU Student Abstracts

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Event Logistics

Due to ongoing construction for the renovation of the Capitol Building in Frankfort, this event will be continue to be held in the Capitol Annex, located directly behind the Capitol. 

Because of occupancy limitations in a temporary location, only four (4) projects per university will be accepted for the event. Two students per poster are allowed to present. We appreciate your understanding as we work within these constraints to ensure a meaningful experience for all participants during the Capitol's renovation.

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Previous Years

View 2025 WKU Student Abstracts

View 2024 WKU Student Abstracts

View 2023 WKU Student Abstracts

View 2022 WKU Student Abstracts

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Abstract Submission Guidelines

Students wishing to represent WKU at Posters-at-the-Capitol will submit their abstracts through the official submission portal hosted by Murray State University. Abstracts from all disciplines are accepted.

How to Submit an Abstract

• Visit the Posters-at-the-Capitol site.
• Register to Submit:

• Create a Digital Commons account (if you don’t already have one)
• Log in to your account
• Click on "Submit Abstract" under Author Corner on the left-hand side
• Follow the submission form prompts
• Note that you do not need to have a final poster ready at the time of submission but only the title and abstract of your project
• You will receive a confirmation email once your submission is successfully entered.

Presenter and Mentor Information for Digital Commons

List the names of the students presenting the poster at Posters-at-the-Capitol, along with the name of the faculty mentor for your project. Include email addresses and first and last names for each. List Western Kentucky University under Institution. You may list as many authors as needed, but only a maximum of two students will receive a printed name tag at the event.

Instructions for Writing Abstracts for Poster Presentations

An abstract is a concise summary (no more than 300 words) of your research or creative project. It should be clear, accessible to a general academic audience, and include:

• Introduction: Briefly provide background and context for your work
• Purpose, Objective, or Hypothesis: State the aim or question driving your project
• Methods (optional): Summarize the approach or process used, if relevant to your discipline
• Results (optional for abstract submission, required for poster): Describe key findings
• Conclusions or What Was Learned: Highlight the significance or outcomes of your work.

Further Abstract Guidelines

• Write in past tense, even for ongoing projects, to maintain consistency
• Avoid technical jargon and define all abbreviations to ensure clarity for all readers
• Use “we” rather than “I” to reflect a professional tone, especially for collaborative work
• Do not include references in the abstract.

Tip: Always have your faculty advisor review and approve your abstract before submission.

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Submission Deadline

TBD

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For questions about WKU’s participation, please contact:

Kathleen Landers
Office of Research and Creative Activity
(270) 745-6132