Student Paper
Presentation Competition

All students attending the 2009 West Lakes Division Annual Meeting at Macalester College are invited to participate in a student paper presentation competition.  Students may compete in one of the following three competitions:

   Best Ph.D. Student Paper Presentation:  $250 First Place; $125 Runner-up
   Best MA/MS Student Paper Presentation:  $150 First Place; $75 Runner-up
   Best Undergraduate Student Paper Presentation:  $100 First Place; $50 Runner-up

Participants should indicate the appropriate category of competition on their abstract submission form.  The abstract submission/competition registration deadline is October 13, 2009.

All paper presentations entered in the competition must report on original research conducted primarily by the student presenting the paper.  Students will not be required to submit a formal paper; competition judging will be based on the quality of the public presentation of research.  Paper presentations will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Organization of the presentation
2. Clarity of the presentation
3. Content of the research
4. Significance of the research

Each student paper presentation will be reviewed by at least two judges; all scores from judges reviewing each presentation will be averaged.  A Student Paper Presentation Panel, comprised of the competition judges, will be responsible for calculating scores and selecting prize recipients.  In the event of a tie, the panel will have the discretion to allocate prize monies equally to two (or more) students.  In the event that a Student Paper Presentation Competition does not receive a sufficient number of applications, or the quality of presentations is not deemed meritorious by the judges, the panel shall have the discretion to refrain from awarding a prize.

For questions or further information, please contact:

Laura Smith
Geography Department
Macalester College
1600 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105-1899
Tel. 651.696.6505
E-mail: smithl@macalester.edu