What is Research? (2026) will bring together scholars to explore various natures, purposes, and roles of research across disciplines, fields, and areas. The event will consider frameworks of systematic and creative inquiry, including methods, designs, analyses, discoveries, collaborations, dissemination, ethics, integrity, pluralism, media/technologies, and information environments.

The thirteenth What is…? gathering delves into research in its many forms, including searching, critically investigating, and re-examining existing knowledge, as well as emerging functions and procedures in machine intelligence and computation. It will highlight pluralities of research pathways, examining time-honored approaches and new ways of knowing, precedents, issues, and futures. It considers challenges and possibilities that researchers face in today’s rapidly changing world, and ways to promote ethical, accessible, and impactful research.

Scholars, scientists, artists, students, filmmakers, grassroots community organizations, government and community officials, public sector and industry professionals, and the public are invited to collaborate. Join us in a journey to explore the interconnected world of research from a transdisciplinary perspective. Share your insights, experiences, and innovative approaches as we foster vibrant dialogues that integrate a wide range of perspectives and knowledge.

2026 Call for Proposals

News • Registration • Accommodations •  Location | UO Portland