Mission: Established in 1987, the Western Research Forum (WRF) is an annual, multidisciplinary conference organized by the SOGS Academic Committee and held at the University of Western Ontario as an opportunity for the dynamic and prodigious graduate students in all disciplines to showcase their innovative research and creative products to their colleagues and other members of the UWO community. This year, the theme of interdisciplinarity is to encourage students to share their research in a manner that is accessible to all, not just those who are well versed in their field. Students are encouraged to engage in networking and professional development opportunities at the conference.

This year, our keynote speaker will be Reid Gower, who recently gave a talk at TED Vancouver, will be joining us to conclude the presentations for the day. His talk will incorporate interdisciplinarity, but from a modern multi-media perspective. Reid Gower has a passion for promoting scientific literacy in the general population leading him to develop his video series, which can be seen here. His media creation, called The Sagan Series, borrows the words of the late astrophysicist Carl Sagan and has gone on to inspire millions across the world. His videos have gotten millions of hits on youtube, launching Reid's success to international heights. Reid is Canadian and lives on Vancouver Island.

Schedule for the forum: WRF Schedule 2013

Tickets will be sold beginning this Friday, January 24th, 2013. Early-bird pricing will be $15, which includes registration fee, refreshments and snacks, admission to the keynote, and dinner at the Wave for prizes and awards. Early-bird deadline closes February 28th, 2013, after which tickets will be $20. Be sure to ask your supervisor if he/she will cover the cost of your registration!

The event has a limited capacity, so we have reserved registration for the forum, keynote, and banquet for graduate students only until March 1st. After this date we would like to extend an invitation to post-docs, professors, family, and undergraduates. Get your tickets early to reserve your spot!

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