Winners Announced for Record-Breaking Mathias Conference

Katharine Grace McCartha presents her winning poster, "Buried Histories: Examining Anti-Blackness in the Afterlives of Q Street"

With more than 200 participants and two newly introduced award categories focused on artificial intelligence, American University's 35th Annual Robyn Rafferty Mathias Student Research Conference marked its largest gathering to date. Held in person on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Don Myers Technology and Innovation Building, the daylong event spotlighted the original research, scholarship, and creative work of undergraduate and graduate students from across the College of Arts and Sciences.

The 2025 conference came on the heels of AU's newly earned R1 research status, a recognition that underscores the university's expanding research activity. Reflecting that momentum, two new awards were introduced this year to honor student excellence in artificial intelligence (AI)-related research-one in the mathematical, computer, and natural sciences, and another in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

"I couldn't be prouder of our College of Arts and Sciences students-their creativity, rigor, and drive were on full display at the largest-ever Mathias Conference," said CAS Dean Linda Aldoory. "In a milestone year marking our new R1 status and the debut of two AI award categories, the competition was intense, and every participant impressed us with their innovative research."

Meet the 2025 Mathias Winners-Congratulations to all!