The fifth-annual Humanities Undergraduate Research Symposium (HURS) will take place on April 10th, 2025 from 9:00am–5:30pm in the Humanities Institute Conference Room (Homer Babbidge Library, 4th floor).
The Humanities Undergraduate Research Symposium (HURS) celebrates the contributions of UConn’s undergraduate students to an ever-evolving dialogue of thought by providing a platform to share new knowledge and encourage the pursuit of advanced research in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts.
This year’s symposium features students from a wide variety of majors—history, journalism, maritime studies, psychological sciences, physiology and neurobiology, political science, human rights, and more. And their talks cover topics from the politics of film, to education in prisons, to environmental injustice.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all attendees and participants. The event will be followed by a reception with refreshments.
HURS 2026 Schedule
9:00am
Breakfast and Welcome
9:15am–10:30am
Society, Future, and The Case for Hope
Josephine Burke, “Higher Education in Prison in Connecticut: An Overview of Experiences, Constraints, and Institutional Politics”
Sugita Mahendarkar, “Building Agency in Connecticut’s Kids (BACK): Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in Connecticut”
10:45am–12:15pm
The Balance of Power: Trump’s Second Term and Connecticut
with Christi Thrower, Charlotte Harvey, Anna Heqimi, and Dan Stark
12:15pm–1:15pm
Lunch
1:15pm–2:30pm
Fascism, Political Resistance, and Social Movements
Kai Febus, “Bodies as Test Sites: Puerto Rico & Ethnicide ”
Danielle Lillis, “Gender, Rebellion, and Power: Roman Miscalculation of Boudica’s Revolt”
Elly Hume, “Assessing the Nuance of Roman Identity in the Ottoman Empire after 1453 CE”
2:45–4:00pm
Environment, Place, and Legacy
Michael Wynn, “Environmental Inequality in the South Bronx”
Nicholas Benda, “The Land of Sunshine and Flowers: Steamship Companies, Nature, and Early-20th Century American Interest in Cuba”
James Weitlauf, “Railroad Ferries in American Maritime History”
4:15pm–5:30pm
Art, Media, and Attention
Kim Butynes, “The Thing (from out of this ‘polarized’ world): How Horror Movies Expressed American Political Fears in Trump’s First Presidential Term (2016-2020)”
Breanna Bonner, “Beyond Survival: Gun Violence Prevention Workshops”
5:30
Reception with refreshments
