Midwest Undergraduate Geography Symposium 2026 (MUGS)
Macalester College is excited to host the 2026 Midwest Undergraduate Geography Symposium! MUGS brings together undergraduate students from across the Midwest to share research, explore new ideas, and celebrate geography in all its forms. Whether you want to present your projects and posters in a low-key setting, meet other geographers or support your family and friends, MUGS 2026 is for you.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Registration Deadline (Presenter) DEADLINE EXTENDED! Friday, April 17, 2026
- Abstract Submission Deadline (Presenter) DEADLINE EXTENDED! Friday, April 17, 2026
- Registration Deadline (Non-Presenter) April 28
- MUGS May 2
Tentative Program-at-a-Glance
8:30 am – 9:30 am – Registration and Breakfast
9:30 am – 10:45 am – Concurrent Session 1
10:45 am – 10:55 am – Break
10:55 am – 12:10 pm – Concurrent Session 2
12:10 pm – 1:00 pm – Keynote Speaker Bill Moseley
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Lunch & Poster Session
2:15 pm – 2:25 pm – Break
2:25 pm – 3:40 pm – Concurrent Session 3
3:45 pm – Business Meeting
Student Presentation Opportunities
1. Paper: A 15-minute presentation. The paper presentation allows for a more in depth look at or research topic within geography. Presentations will be grouped into sessions based on relevance/topic. Examples: Capstone Project, Honors Project, or any in depth Geography research project.
2. Lightning: A 5-minute presentation. The lightning paper session is a group of very short presentations summarizing recent research or studies. A maximum of eight slides per presentation. Examples: Course research paper, poster, cartographic/GIS/remote sensing project, or preliminary research for an upcoming project.
3. Poster: Showcase your research or project work in a visually engaging, accessible academic poster. Posters should clearly communicate the project on their own, while presenters are also expected to engage with the audience, discuss their work, and answer questions during the session.
3. Attend: Fellow students, family and friends are welcome to attend to support budding geographers.
Registration
Registration Fee for MUGS 2026 is $20. Fee includes light breakfast and lunch.
Abstract Submission
Abstracts (maximum 200 words) are due no later than April 12 and are required for paper and lightning presentations. Please register for MUGS 2026 before submitting an abstract.
Submit your MUGS 2026 abstract
MUGS 2026 Keynote Speaker Bill Moseley
Nourishing Geography: The Six Dimensions of a Thriving Discipline
These are challenging times for American higher education and geography has not been immune to the headwinds. While periods of turmoil are disconcerting, these can also be times of opportunity if the discipline is proactive and strategic. This talk discusses six such challenges that also represent opportunities for the AAG and geography.
About Bill Moseley
William G. Moseley is a DeWitt Wallace Professor of Geography and Director of the Food, Agriculture and Society Program at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. His research focuses on tropical agriculture, food security, environment and development, particularly in Africa. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters as well as 12 books. His research has been funded by the US National Science Foundation, the US Fulbright-Hays Program, and the American Geographical Society. In 2022-2023, he was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar, in 2016 he was awarded the Kwadwo Konadu-Agyemang Distinguished Scholar Award by the AAG, and in 2013 he received the AAG media award. He currently serves as president of the Mande Studies Association (MANSA) and President of the American Association of Geographers (AAG). He previously served as a member of the United Nations High Level Panel of Experts for Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN). His commentaries have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post and Al Jazeera English.
MUGS 2026 Planning Committee
Catherine Kane ’26
Oliver Matus-Bond ’26
Eric Carter, Geography Department Chair
Connie DeLage, Geography Department Coordinator
Frequently Asked Questions
Download MUGS 2026 Flyer
