The University of Richmond's Faculty & Staff Research Symposium provides an extraordinary opportunity for colleagues to exchange ideas and feel part of a dynamic intellectual and creative community. The event brings together faculty and staff from multiple disciplines, programs, and all five schools to present on their research, work, and creative projects–all in a non-time-intensive way. New initiatives, classes, and partnerships have emerged from these interdisciplinary conversations, as people learn about the incredible work being done on campus.
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2025 and 2026 - Faculty & Staff Research Symposium - Mini
Elizabeth Outka and Lidia Radi
September 26, 2025; November 7, 2025; January 20, 2026; and, February 20, 2026
[Excerpt from the "Welcome"]
"Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the Faculty and Staff Mini-Symposia Series!
As we gather for the fourth and final installment of this year’s Mini-Symposia Series, we are delighted to continue this new chapter of the Faculty and Staff Research Symposium, building on the extraordinary enthusiasm of the past two years. What began as a single day of conversation and exchange has grown into a cycle of events designed to highlight the intellectual and creative work of our community in even more accessible and collaborative ways. . . .
We thank you for being part of this evolving endeavor in community and collaboration, and we look forward to the conversations ahead.
Elizabeth Outka and Lidia Radi, Symposium co-organizers"
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2026 - Faculty & Staff Research Symposium
Elizabeth Outka and Lidia Radi
[Excerpt from the "Welcome"]
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the third Faculty & Staff Research Symposium!
The Symposium offers us the chance to come together as a community and learn about the inspiring work happening across our campus. Faculty and staff continue to push the boundaries of research, to design and maintain new learning and gathering spaces, to craft remarkable art and performances, and to develop innovative programs that enrich our collective experience. The event is meant to spark curiosity, build connections, inspire partnerships, and open new pathways for exploration. . . .
This symposium is your creation — it thrives on your work and your engagement. We hope you enjoy the day!
Our very best,
Elizabeth Outka and Lidia Radi Symposium co-organizers
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2024 - Faculty & Staff Research Symposium
Elizabeth Outka and Lidia Radi
[Excerpt from the "Welcome"]
"Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the second Faculty and Staff Research Symposium!
We are delighted to see such enthusiasm for this event, following the extraordinary response to last year’s inaugural Symposium. It is truly a testament to the vibrant, engaged community we have here — a group of colleagues deeply committed to ideas, creativity, and collaboration. Across our campus, faculty and staff continue to push the boundaries of research, to design and maintain new learning and gathering spaces, to craft remarkable art and performances, and to develop innovative programs that enrich our collective experience. . . .
Our very best,
Elizabeth Outka and Lidia Radi, Symposium co-organizers"
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2023 - Faculty & Staff Research Symposium
Elizabeth Outka and Lidia Radi
"Welcome
Welcome to the first University of Richmond Faculty and Staff Research Symposium!
The University of Richmond has an extraordinary faculty and staff dedicated to fostering a vibrant learning community. Across our campus, colleagues are working to develop new ideas, advance research, envision and maintain new learning and gathering spaces, create art and performances, shape innovative programs — and much more. The Symposium, hosted by A&S, provides an opportunity to celebrate and learn about our colleagues’ amazing work.
The concept for the Symposium arose during conversations between the two of us in which we pondered ways for colleagues to exchange ideas and feel part of a dynamic intellectual and creative community. We began to envision a one-day event that would bring folks from across the university and all five schools together to discuss their work in low-pressure, interdisciplinary sessions. The event, we hoped, would foster community and conversations, encourage partnerships, and open new directions for exploration, stimulating those serendipitous moments of “spark,” when ideas are born from discussion and exchange.
We presented the idea to your departments, offices, and schools, and you welcomed us with thoughtfulness, curiosity, enthusiasm, and precious feedback. And when the call for papers went out, your response was extraordinary: 144 of you volunteered to present, 34 are chairing, and we hope everyone can attend at least one session. You have made this Symposium possible — it is built from your work and your participation.
And finally, to foster a sense of open communication, conversation, and collegiality, the presenters and chairs are identified in the program by office, department, and/ or school (if applicable) and not by title.
Please enjoy the Symposium, and let us know your ideas and suggestions for the future!
Our very best,
Elizabeth Outka and Lidia Radi (Symposium co-organizers)"
