CEW 2026
STUDENT PROGRAM
CEW prides itself on providing an amazing Student Program by giving students ample opportunities to network, learn, and exchange ideas at a reduced registration cost and lower short-course fees. Just indicate which events you are interested in when you sign up via the online registration form, show up, and we will do the rest! ​
Signup for all student program activities is available upon registration.​ For any student program questions, please contact the Graduate Student Advisors.
Student-Mentor Activities
Evening Networking | October 4th, 2026​
During our speed-networking style event, mentors and mentees will be seated such that mentees rotate to new tables every 15-20 minutes. Each table will have suggested questions covering a wide range of topics including but not limited to job/postdoc search tips, early career advice, science communication and media, and inclusivity in science that the seated parties can discuss. This is a great opportunity to meet and identify mentors that you would like to get to know over the course of the workshop.
Details about the event’s logistics will be sent to the participants ahead of the workshop. Light snacks and a beverage will be served.
Student-Mentor Lunch | October 6th, 2026​
This networking event will take place over lunch on Tuesday, October 6th. Mentors and mentees will be matched at tables with various themes (e.g., work-life balance, science communication, travelling for research, tips for publishing, and working in academia, industry or government) for a more in-depth conversation. Each table will be given ice breaker questions and prompts to facilitate conversation.
Details about the event’s logistics will be sent to the participants ahead of the workshop.
Student Competitions and Awards
Volunteer judges will evaluate all poster and platform in these competitions according to CEW-identified criteria. The judging rubric will be made available shortly, and we encourage students to keep these criteria in mind when preparing their presentations.
Student Outreach Competition
Do you want to show off your creativity and display your research in an artistic medium of your choosing? Whether it’s poetry, photography, beadwork, painting, song, video, or memes, as long as it can be mounted to a poster board (with QR codes as an option), we’re excited to see your creativity! Students’ creations will be displayed on poster boards during the workshop, and attendees will vote on their favourite throughout the workshop. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three works during the closing ceremony!
*Maximum size of submission: 2ft x 2ft
Student Co-Chairs
Ever wonder what it takes to be a session chair? Well, wonder no more! Students have the opportunity to assist session chair(s) during the workshop and learn what it takes to keep a workshop productive, organized, and on schedule. Assisting the chair(s) involves loading presentations and ensuring they are in the proper queue, keeping track of attendance at each presentation, thinking of possible questions to ask presenters, and possibly introducing presenters to the audience.
Student Buddy System
Attending a workshop for the first time can be overwhelming! If it’s your first time attending CEW or you’ve been to CEW before and you want to show first-time attendees the ropes, consider participating in our Buddy System. First-time CEW student attendees will be paired up with experienced student attendees on Sunday before the start of the workshop. This is a fun way for students to network with each other and meet new people with similar interests in a casual setting while helping first-time attendees feel more comfortable with other workshop events.