Young scholars show findings at HGSE Student Research Conference

In a basement classroom in Larsen Hall on Friday (Feb. 23), there was everything young learners need: chalkboards, a screen, bright lights, sturdy chairs - and good teachers. In this case, four good teachers - all of them Ed.M. students at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE).

The four were among 230 young scholars from universities across North America at HGSE's daylong Student Research Conference. The annual event - in its 12th year, and the only one of its kind in the country - provides a way for first-time education researchers to mingle with their peers, practice presentation skills, and get a sense of emerging scholarship.

During the morning, student scholars in 27 separate classroom settings summarized their research findings, followed by questions from audience members. "It's a big moment," said Lorielle E. Mallue, one of the four young master's degree students gathered in the Larsen Hall classroom. "Everything I said today took almost a semester to work up."

Presenting to her peers in a nonjudgmental setting "becomes celebratory," said the onetime filmmaker - and is a good way to prepare for the postgraduate world of scholarly conferences. "It's not as anxiety-inducing as other environments."