Posters at the Capitol

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Posters-at-the-Capitol 2026

The 24th Annual Posters-at-the-Capitol event is currently being planned, with a tentative date of Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Frankfort, Kentucky. This annual one-day event gives undergraduate students across the Commonwealth an opportunity to present their faculty-mentored research, scholarly, and creative projects to state legislators, highlighting the critical role of undergraduate research in Kentucky’s public universities.

Western Kentucky University proudly supports student research and encourages faculty mentors to guide their students in participating.

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Event Purpose

The goal of Posters-at-the-Capitol is to help those responsible for higher education funding in Kentucky better understand the importance of undergraduate research in shaping student success, academic engagement, and civic responsibility.

Students connect with both hometown and university legislators to share the impact of their work.

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2026 Event Logistics

Due to ongoing construction at the Capitol Building in Frankfort, the event location and format are still being finalized. The current plan is to secure a room in the Capitol Annex, located directly behind the Capitol. Confirmation of this location is expected by December 1, 2025.

Because of occupancy limitations in a temporary location, only four (4) projects per university will be accepted for the 2026 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.

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Abstract Submission is Now Open

Students wishing to represent WKU at Posters-at-the-Capitol 2026 should submit their abstracts through the official submission portal hosted by Murray State University. Abstracts from all disciplines are accepted.

How to Submit an Abstract

1. Visit the Posters-at-the-Capitol site.
2. 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
3. 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 2026, 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

All abstracts must be submitted by Friday, December 5, 2025.

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For questions about WKU’s participation, please contact:

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

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WKU students' projects from last year can be viewed here.

The 23rd Annual Posters at the Capitol