04/20/2026
SUNY Cortland students will finally reveal months — or sometimes years — of their own scholarly work during Transformations: A Student Research and Creativity Conference on Thursday, April 30, and Friday, May 1.
Created in 1997 as Scholars’ Day, the university event lets students share the findings of their research and their original ideas. It was renamed Transformations in 2012 to emphasize how research transforms the studied subjects, students’ lives and the outside world.
“The student research is a part of a larger experience of applied learning,” said Bruce Mattingly, dean of the school of arts and sciences. “We know it’s very valuable for our students and we’re glad that they have those opportunities. This is just one way to showcase it.”
The conference begins at 4:30 p.m. on April 30 in the Hobson Lecture Hall, located in Sperry Center, Room 104.
A keynote address, “Don’t Jump to Conclusions: We Know Less About Invasions than We Think,” will be presented by Andrea Dávalos, associate professor of biological sciences. She earned the university’s 2026 Dr. Peter DiNardo ’68 and Judith Waring Outstanding Achievement in Research Award as well as the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.
On May 1, Bowers Hall will host individual, group and poster presentations from 113 students on the research they conducted with the support of 49 faculty mentors. Research disciplines this year range from archaeology to geography to sport management and beyond.
The success of Transformations is a team effort, according to Mattingly. Faculty and staff from all three of SUNY Cortland’s academic schools — Arts and Sciences, Professional Studies and Education — all serve on the conference’s committee.
The enthusiasm for the event makes it a great showcase for the university.
“I like the overall energy of the day,” Mattingly said. “You walk through the poster sessions and you’ve got students excited to talk about what their work has been. And there’s always crowds of people around listening to what they have to say.”
More information and a presentation handbook are available on the Transformations webpage.
For questions about Transformations, please contact the Dean of Arts and Sciences Office at 607-753-4312 or by email.