About the committee
The MURC Planning Committee is responsible for the ideation, development, implementation, and exhibition of the Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference. This student-led conference is supported by staff advisors from the Centre for Community Engaged Learning, but the emphasis is on student leadership for conference design and planning. Students interested in developing their leadership, project management, event planning, and communication skills may be interested in one of the director or chair positions available through the MURC Planning Committee.
Time commitment
The MURC Planning Committee holds biweekly collaboration sessions during Winter Session Term 1 (September to December) and weekly collaboration sessions during Winter Session Term 2 (January to April). All collaboration sessions are 2 hours long and mandatory for all members.
On average, Planning Committee members can expect to commit approximately 10 hours per week in Winter Session Term 1 and 20 hours per week in Winter Session Term 2, depending on portfolio-specific timelines and responsibilities.
2026 MURC Planning Committee
The planning committee holds 10 positions within 5 portfolios:
- Co-Chairs
- Malika Kahlon, Faculty of Arts, Psychology
- Hargun Dhillon, Faculty of Education, Kinesiology
- Communications and Promotions Portfolio Co-Directors
- Julia Le, Faculty of Science, Microbiology
- Naomi Isak, Faculty of Science, Microbiology and Immunology Major, Nutritional Sciences Minor
- Logistics and Programming Portfolio Co-Directors
- James Wu, Faculty of Science, Honours Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences
- Sandhyaa Parangimalai Madan Kumar, Faculty of Arts, Psychology Major, Economics Minor
- Volunteers Portfolio Co-Directors
- Elizabeth Fu, Faculty of Arts, Sociology
- Natalie Ma, Faculty of Science, Honours Biology
- Workshops and Presentations Portfolio Co-Directors
- Ivy Guo, Faculty of Science, Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences
- Jenifer Dua, Faculty of Arts, International Relations
2026 MURC Planning Committee positions
Co-Chair
The MURC Co-Chairs are the detail-oriented, strategic leads of the MURC Planning Committee, which is composed of peer executive members from across the university. MURC Co-Chairs work closely with staff advisors to create a strategic plan for the conference and provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to all executive portfolios, including Logistics and Programming, Workshops and Presentations, Volunteers and Communications, and Promotions.
Co-chairs are expected to lead their peers by coordinating key conference deliverables, implementing marketing and logistic plans, managing the conference budget and especially by ensuring conference deadlines and milestones are met in a timely manner. Co-chairs are clear communicators with strong organisational skills and a keen ability to work both independently and in collaboration with a hybrid staff and student team.
Communications and Promotions Co-Director
The Communications and Promotions Co-Directors will work closely with the MURC Co-Chairs and UBC staff to develop, manage, and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications plan to promote the conference and various involvement opportunities.
Logistics and Programming Co-Director
The Logistics and Programming Co-Directors will work closely with the MURC Co-Chairs and UBC staff to oversee the coordination and organisation of event logistics and conference programming.
Volunteer Co-Director
The Volunteer Co-Directors will work closely with the MURC Co-Chairs and UBC staff to create and execute a comprehensive plan for the recruitment, training, support, and recognition of conference volunteers.
Workshops and Presentations Co-Director
The Workshops and Presentations Co-Directors will work closely with the MURC Co-Chairs and UBC staff to plan workshops and events to prepare presenters for the conference, as well as provide training and support to adjudicators.
How to apply
Applications for the MURC Planning Committee are now closed. Check back in spring 2026.
If you have questions
Please email undergraduate.research@ubc.ca for information about the application process.