Research and Innovation Events
The Division of Research and Innovation hosts and co-sponsors several events throughout the academic year intended to facilitate collaborations and conversations among scholars and entrepreneurs within and beyond the institution.
Events Highlighting SDSU Scholars
Albert W. Johnson University Research Lecture and Outstanding Scholars Awards Ceremony
The Albert W. Johnson University Research Lectureship is awarded annually to an SDSU faculty member for outstanding achievement in research and scholarship. It enables a distinguished resident faculty scholar to share their knowledge more broadly with and beyond the academic community. The Lectureship is the University's highest recognition of research and scholarly achievement.
The Outstanding Scholar Awards honor research, scholarship and creative activity contributions of faculty and postdoctoral scholars at SDSU. The recipients are recognized annually at a ceremony preceding the Albert W. Johnson University Research Lecture.
SDSU Student Symposium
The SDSU Student Symposium, or S3 is an annual showcase of SDSU student discovery, innovation, and creativity held each spring semester. S3 is a public forum where undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to present their research, scholarship, and creative activities to the SDSU and San Diego communities. Approximately $20,000 in cash prizes are awarded to the best student presentations.
Discoveries & Dialogues Colloquium Series
The Discoveries and Dialogues colloquium series is held once a month on a Wednesday afternoon. Each colloquium features three 10-minute long presentations by SDSU scholars with 5 minutes for questions and discussion between talks. While brief, the TED-like format is designed to convey the excitement of the what, why, and how of engaging in research, scholarship, and creative activities to a general audience. After the presentations, attendees are invited to mingle, network, and enjoy light refreshments.
SDSU Book Celebration
Every two years, DRI gathers all manner of books published by SDSU-affiliated authors. Through partnership with the University Library, these books are put on display for several weeks and the authors are honored at a catered event with their colleagues and loved ones.
Invited Speaker Events
Women in STEM Annual Seminar
Since 2018, DRI has proudly presented the Women in STEM Annual Seminar, bringing exceptional, nationally recognized women scientists and engineers to SDSU for two days of activities with students, postdocs, faculty, and the community.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, SDSU is honored to welcome Katherine (Kathy) Yelick, Ph.D., the vice chancellor for research and the Robert S. Pepper distinguished professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences at UC Berkeley.
Rising Stars Lecture Series
This lecture series seeks to recognize nationally renowned early-career faculty by inviting them to San Diego State University to share their cutting-edge research and career development strategies with the SDSU community over the course of a 2-day visit. This program provides a speaker honorarium and covers all travel expenses, supported by the Vice President for Research and Innovation and various colleges.
Entrepreneurship Events
Social Venture Challenge
The SDSU Social Venture Challenge is an annual pitch competition hosted at San Diego State University where students are challenged to identify a significant problem related to the yearly theme and present an innovation that results in a social venture.
The 2026 competition focuses on the theme of achieving food security through innovation.
San Diego Angel Conference
