Campus Conference Showcases Future Changemakers through Student Research
The ninth annual Campus Conference: A Youth Research Symposium at Cleveland State University (CSU) once again demonstrated the power of student-led research, bringing together young scholars from Northeast Ohio to present projects focused on real-world issues impacting their schools and communities.
Campus Conference, hosted by CSU’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education in the Julka Hall Atrium on May 8, showcased Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) projects by students from Campus International High School and Lincoln-West School of Science and Health in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD).
Dr. Molly Buckley-Marudas, associate professor in the School of Education and Counseling (SEC) within Levin College, founded Campus Conference, which has evolved into one of Northeast Ohio’s most distinctive showcases for youth academic research.
According to Dr. Buckley-Marudas, “the conference is powerful because it creates a platform for young people to share the results of their research with community members and key stakeholders which positions them as knowledge generators and changemakers.”
The conference traces its roots to the 2017-18 opening of Campus International High School, when Dr. Buckley-Marudas served as professor-in-residence and introduced the idea of ninth-grade students conducting year-long YPAR projects as a required research course for all students. In this course, students would engage in all steps of the YPAR process and share their findings with community members and key stakeholders at a formal conference at CSU at the end of the academic year. What began as a bold educational experiment has since grown into a regional platform that gives young researchers the opportunity to investigate community concerns, present findings publicly, and advocate for change.
“This conference was very powerful, being able to learn about so many important issues in the community,” said Campus International freshman Arielle Rivers, who helped host the awards ceremony. “This was a proud moment,” added fellow freshman Be’Lon Green. “We’re younger than everyone here, but we surprised everyone with presenting and how responsible we can be.”
Be’Lon and Arielle were part of an award-winning student team that researched the effects of sleep deprivation on everyday life. It was one of several projects highlighting issues relevant to students and families throughout the region.
The conference also highlighted the expanding influence of SchYPAR (School-Based Youth Participatory Action Research), a youth-driven research model led by Dr. Adam Voight, director of the Center for Urban Education (CUE) at CSU. Through SchYPAR, students investigate challenges affecting their educational experiences and use evidence-based findings to promote solutions and policy discussions.
Dr. Buckley-Marudas' partnership with Dr. Voight and involvement with SchYPAR broadened participation in Campus Conference to include students from the First Ring Student Leadership Institute (FRSLI) and SchYPAR initiatives. This helped establish the symposium as an emerging statewide hub for youth research and innovation.
“This was a whole new experience for me,” said Lincoln-West senior Xavier Chappell, one of the event emcees. “It was my first year being a part of YPAR. It was an eye-opening experience to see all the different issues in the community being researched.”
“This was my fourth year being part of YPAR,” said fellow Lincoln-West senior Taylor Hostetter. “I remember all the projects and the people I’ve met along the way. I’m grateful for all the opportunities it’s presented throughout my high school years.”
The event featured two student poster sessions, a panel discussion, and an awards ceremony celebrating student achievement and innovation. Dr. Buckley-Marudas also recognized the work of Dr. Rosalinda Godinez, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the CUE, and Marquan Jones, a third-year Urban Education doctoral student, for their contributions in helping facilitate the YPAR projects at Campus International and Lincoln-West and coordinate the conference.
Project HighKEY (High-school Knowledge and Education through YPAR), a Cleveland Alliance for Education Research (CAER) initiative funded through a four-year Institute of Education Sciences (IES) research grant focused on expanding YPAR innovation in high schools, provided support for the conference.
Adding to the atmosphere was a visit from Rune, a therapy dog accompanied by CSU Police Officer Toni Jones. Research has shown that therapy dogs have been known to reduce stress and anxiety while improving student well-being and engagement.
As Campus Conference continues to grow, its impact extends far beyond a single day of presentations. When students are empowered to research pressing social and educational issues, the symposium effectively cultivates the next generation of scholars, civic leaders, and changemakers throughout Northeast Ohio.