Call for Proposals: Undergraduate Armenian Studies Research Symposium
The USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies, in collaboration with the USC Armenian Student Association (ASA), announces a call for proposals for USC’s second annual Armenian Studies Undergraduate Research Symposium. The symposium will take place on April 10, 2026 as part of USC’s Armenian History Month programming. The objective is to provide undergraduate students with a forum to present their research on Armenian Studies, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and empower them to pursue further research in Armenian Studies.
Current USC undergraduate students and recent alumni (graduates of Spring 2025 and later) are invited to submit abstracts for research pertaining to Armenian Studies, broadly defined. Research areas include, but are not limited to, language, cultural studies, literature, the arts, economics, anthropology, sociology, history, regional studies, environmental science, journalism, political science, and international relations. Students are welcome to submit abstracts for research undertaken over the course of their undergraduate studies at USC. Research papers written for USC classes or independent study (in Armenian Studies or beyond) are eligible for submission. The final product to be presented should be the equivalent of an 8-10 page double-spaced paper. Multimedia submissions that reach the rigor and standard of this research call may be considered.
Students whose abstracts are selected will be paired with an Armenian Studies expert for mentorship and guidance. They will then present their work at the Armenian Studies Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 10, 2026 at USC’s Taper Hall of Humanities 309K (THH 309K). Students will give a 20-minute presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A on the day of the symposium. Presentations will be grouped into thematic panels with discussants, selected based on their expertise. The symposium will also feature a keynote address by a leading scholar in Armenian Studies and a networking reception.
The top three research presentations will be awarded a prize. Abstracts and winners will be selected based on the originality of the research question, rigor, and caliber of presentation. The symposium will be open to the wider USC community and public at large.
To apply, submit a 250-word abstract of your research by February 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
If you have any questions, contact Lilit Keshishyan at lkeshish@usc.edu.