On March 24 and 25, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) held its 15th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference. The conference aims to communicate and support scholarship throughout the many different disciplines that are represented at PBA. The topics of the presentations can range from various fields of science to collaboration in the arts, expressing the diverse educational pursuits of students and faculty at PBA.
This year’s conference was made up of both faculty and student presentations, with some presentations being a collective effort between students and faculty. There were over 40 students participating in the conference, and nearly 20 faculty participating, either through presentations or sponsorship.
Poster presentations were also displayed in the Warren Library for optimal visibility throughout the conference, adding a multimedia approach to share research in an easily accessible way.
Highlights
Although the topics at the conference were widely varied, a few interesting presentations similarly focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). One presentation, conducted by Henry Robichaud and Diogo Silvera, two undergraduate engineering students, discussed innovation in engineering through the use of AI. Their project looked at using an AI computer system to enhance a solar tracking system and maximize energy capture.
Another student, Khimarie Carpenter, an undergraduate student studying pre-law and political science, discussed the ethics of AI in the field of law, specifically in legal writing. She discussed the issues that AI poses in the field, as AI cannot replace the discernment and understanding of an attorney. While she recognized it as a useful tool, she largely cautioned against the incorporation of it in such a serious field as legal writing.
There were also presentations in the field of ministry. One centered on the use of theological concepts, such as the Imago Dei, to combat falsehoods in our world and restore God’s intended image for humanity. Other presentations related science to the divine, showcasing the intersection between science and faith at PBA and in logic as a whole.
Another presentation was given by dance Professor Dr. Jin Lee Hanley, along with some of her students from the dance department. They overviewed a trip that a selection of students had taken this past semester to South Korea to participate in the Asian International Ethnic Dance Festival. During the presentation, the students displayed dance styles that they learned in South Korea and shared one of the pieces they had prepared and preformed while at the festival.
Keynote
The keynote speaker for the conference was Dr. Elizabeth Stice, professor of history and the Frederick M. Supper honors program fellow for faculty communication and development. She discussed the purpose of a liberal arts education and how it relates to the pursuit of the good life.
Stice emphasized the importance of students taking hold of their education. She referenced knowledge as freedom, an idea articulated by many academics. She encouraged the audience to take such sentiments to heart; to take ownership of their education by choosing to remain curious.
She continued to give applicable steps that students, faculty, and others alike, can take to develop in themselves a well-rounded understanding of the world around them. Stice highlighted that college is not just for a degree and future career, but a formative experience aimed at giving students the tools to live a good life.
The Interdisciplinary Research Conference reflected many of the sentiments that Stice communicated by encouraging attendees to listen to and experience the wonderful work that is being done by faculty and students at PBA in a myriad of different fields.
To find out more about the conference, view the agenda and research abstracts at https://www.pba.edu/about/growth/interdisciplinary-research/conference-2026/.
