Graduate Research and Creative Activity Conference
2025 Featured GRCAC Presenter
Alejandra Martínez-Muñoz
Alejandra Martínez-Muñoz (Alex) is an international student from Mexico pursuing a Master's degree in Communication – Interpretation and Performance Studies at EMU. She is also holds a bachelor's degree in Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts from the same institution.
One of her works, "Femicide, Resistance, Sisterhood, and Catharsis: A Performative Analysis of Si Me Matan, 'Canción sin Miedo,' and Liliana’s Invincible Summer," examines these artistic works through feminist theories of sisterhood and catharsis. She explores how they transform grief into solidarity and resilience, linking individual pain to broader societal issues, particularly femicides in Mexico. For her final project, she is developing a collection of essays analyzing the performative nuances of compassion in art activism from a narrative and feminist perspective, focusing on femicides in Mexico. Alex aspires to pursue a PhD to further delve into the performative role of emotions in art and art activism, as well as their cultural and societal impact.
Check out Alex's GRCAC Poster
Friday, March 21, 2025 | 9:00am – 4:30pm
In Person - Student Center, 3rd Floor
Check out the 2025 GRCAC Presenter Schedule! Check out the 2025 GRCAC Program!
Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, KCP Visiting Professor Program
2025 GRCAC Dates and Deadlines
December 9, 2024 - The application portal opens
January 31, 2025 - Application submission deadline
February 7, 2025 - Faculty mentor approval deadline
February 14, 2025 - Acceptance response notification date
March 7, 2025 - 3 Minute Thesis Competition
March 14, 2025 - Presentation Upload due
March 21, 2025 - Graduate Research and Creative Activity Conference
3 Minute Thesis Competition
March 7, 2025 from 10:00-12:00pm
Student Center Room 310B
The 3 Minute Thesis Competition asks thesis and dissertation students to present their research in under three minutes using only one PowerPoint slide. The top three contenders will present again during the GRCAC. Additionally, the student who earns first place will compete at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3MT Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Friday, April 4, 2025.
GRCAC Eligibility
- Be enrolled in an EMU graduate program or have graduated in 2024.
- Engage a faculty advisor/mentor in your conference application (application below).
- Be available to present at the GRCAC on Friday, March 21st, 2025 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Fill out the online proposal application in its entirety.
- Sample Abstracts [PDF]
Please be aware that the information provided in the application will be considered a final draft and used in event programming. Additionally, you should work with your faculty sponsor prior to application submission, as application approval by your faculty sponsor is required for participation.
- Applications must submit their applications electronically.
Presentation Formats
Oral Presentations
Oral presentation sessions will be from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21st. Each session will be 1 hour long featuring three to four student presenters. A moderator will facilitate each live oral presentation session.
Presentations can be either Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Prezi Presentation. Presenters should aim for 10 minutes of content presentation and 5 minutes of questions. Presenters will be required to upload their presentation by Friday, March 14th at the link provided to them in their email.
Poster Presentations
The poster sessions will occur on Friday, March 21st.
Poster presenters may use the logo and template below.
Please visit the Poster Printing Website for information on how to print your poster. Posters should be printed at least a week before the Conference.
Arts Front
What is Arts Front?
Arts Front is a session platform to support and highlight art-based (music, creative writing, performance, interactive drama, visual art, etc.) presentations as part of the Graduate Research and Creative Activity Conference (GRCAC). Arts Front presentations will take place on Friday, March 21st, 2025 at the Student Center.
Paper/Panel Session
Consider proposing a paper session or panel session! These 75-minute sessions consist of 3 - 5 student presenters, focused around a common theme. Each student would present with questions and discussion occurring at the end of the session. The paper or panel session can consist of students from the same or different programs; interdisciplinarity is encouraged! We encourage you to propose paper and panel sessions that will engage and inform the audience
A paper session submission is a submission that includes 3 or 5 student paper presentations focused around a similar theme.
A panel submission is a format that engages a group of 3-5 student panelists in an informal, interactive discussion focused around a common theme. The session can consist of students from the same or different programs; interdisciplinarity is encouraged!
Support for Graduate Student Research and the GRCAC
The Graduate School can help identify resources for you to aid with the following topics:
- Training to support research with human subjects
- Please fill out this form to be enrolled in Human Subject Research Training Canvas course.
- Questions can be directed to the Office of Research Compliance at 734.487.3090 or [email protected].
For information on how to access resources or to be connected to a faculty/staff member that can assist you, please email [email protected] or call 734.487.0042.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the GRCAC team at [email protected] or by phone at 734.487.0042.