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Independent research and creative activity allows students in all disciplines to take knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and apply them to unique challenges. Working closely with faculty experts, students can engage in the academic enterprise in a way that develops critical thinking, project management, and presentation skills that will be valuable in a lifetime of learning.
The National Survey of Student Engagement shows that UNK students report more participation in out-of-class research than many top institutions. This is a particular strength of UNK, and we encourage students to participate.
Student Research Day will be April 4, 2013. More information can be found here: Student Research Day
Assessment data for the Summer Student Research Program can be found here.
UNK hosted Dr. Jenny Shanahan on October 29, 2012, who gave two presentations about mentoring undergraduate research. Dr. Shanahan is Director of Undergraduate Research at Bridgewater State University.
Her first presentation was about the benefits to faculty who mentor undergraduate research. Her slides can be downloaded here.
The second presentation targeted issues relating to mentoring undergraduate research in the social sciences. Those slides can be downloaded here.
Listed below are UNK student research programs. Many departments have other, less formal opportunities, so students should talk to their advisor to learn more.
NEW! UNK has launched an Undergraduate Research Fellows program, to support student research and creative activity positions during the academic year. Click here for more information.
The Undergraduate Research Council awards grants for student scholarly projects. Working with their mentors, students can request up to $400 for supplies and operating expenses.
Summer Student Research Program is a program to support students in the conduct of original scholarship during the summer. Students work one-on-one with faculty experts to design, conduct, and present projects, earning a $3000 stipend. While there are many opportunities at UNK for students to engage in research, the SSRP is unique because it forms a community of scholars each summer who challenge and support each other while learning about research in other disciplines.
Nebraska EPSCoR offers $5000 grants to science faculty for research that involves undergraduate students.
The National Science Foundation supports summer student research programs at colleges and universities across the country. These programs, called REU Sites (Research Experiences for Undergraduates), typically focus on an individual academic discipline. UNK students can apply to these programs and spend their summer doing research while earning a stipend. Visit the NSF REU Site Search page to read about the various opportunities.
Student Research Day is an annual event where students present their scholarly work. There is a poster session with over 250 entries, oral presentations, musical performances, and art exhibitions.
NCUR is the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research, where students from across the country present their scholarly work in an academic forum. UNK typically sends a large delegation of students each year. In 2006, it was held in Asheville, North Carolina. Click for pictures.
The Undergraduate Research Journal is an annual publication of student academic papers open to all disciplines.
The Carillon is an annual publication of Sigma Tau Delta (the English Honor Society), including original literary works by UNK students.
The Department of Chemistry has a web page for undergraduate research activities here.
The Council on Undergraduate Research is a national non-profit organization that supports and promotes high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. Publications, conferences, and workshops are all designed to support institutions and faculty in the improvement of student research opportunities.
For more information on these programs, contact the Office of Graduate Studies & Research or call 308.865.8496.