What is undergraduate research?
At VCU, undergraduate research entails a spectrum of learning experiences characterized by hands-on investigation, inquiry, and discovery emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, practical problem-solving and, ultimately, the generation of new knowledge and its potential application in real-world contexts.
VCU undergraduate research takes place both inside and outside of the classroom and encompasses the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) definition and Research-Supportive Learning (IUI). A core component of undergraduate research is engaged guidance by experienced faculty mentors and research educators. CUR offers a variety of resources for mentors that you may find helpful.
What does it mean to be a mentor?
Students often report the most important aspect of their undergraduate research experience is their relationship with their mentor. Mentors are essential in ensuring the success of a student’s experience with research. For some students, they will serve as the first individual to intellectually stimulate them outside of the classroom.
The mentor teaches a variety of applied skills, methods and techniques that fosters curiosity and allows students to ask questions. They help students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Mentors provide opportunities to collaborate on research projects and publications. They provide guidance in planning professional progress and achieving necessary milestones. Mentors train a new generation of scholars and practitioners.
What would you like to do?
I want to recruit an undergraduate research assistant
Many mentors recruit undergraduate researchers via their courses or departmental listservs. You can also post a research assistant position on VCU Handshake. Our office is also happy to help expand your reach for any research positions or programs that you are offering. Contact urop@vcu.edu to share your opportunity.
I want to fund an undergraduate researcher
Our office offers programs that provide funding support for undergraduate researchers.There are also many other funded research programs at VCU for which faculty can serve as mentors. Some of these are supported by individual schools/depts, while others are federally-funded training programs or experiential learning scholarships. Many faculty also provide funding from their grant lines to support student research assistants, either in the form of a stipend or student worker position.
Hire a Work Study Research Assistant
Apply with your student for a UROP Fellowship award
I want to embed a research experience into a course/turn my research experience into a credit-bearing opportunity
Our office offers programs that support faculty in integrating undergraduate research and research-supportive project-based learning (RS/PBL) into courses and credit-bearing experiences.
Turn your research initiative into a multi-semester Vertically Integrated Project with variable credit for undergraduates and graduate students.
Apply for a TLCI Faculty Fellowship and develop your course with a cohort of your peers.
This is a lot of information. I'd like to speak with someone from your office
If you are interested in our Vertically Integrated Projects program, please feel free to contact one of our VIP Faculty Directors:
David Naff, Ph.D.: naffdb@vcu.edu
Faculty Director of Vertically Integrated Projects (for faculty on the Monroe Park campus)
Dayanjan Wijesinghe, Ph.D.: wijesingheds@vcu.edu
Faculty Director of Vertically Integrated Projects (for faculty on the Health Sciences campus).
If you are interested in our Transformative Learning Course Innovation Program, please feel free to contact one of our TLCI Faculty Directors:
Sarah Golding, Ph.D: segolding@vcu.edu
Senior Faculty Director for Special Projects, Office of the Provost and co-Director of Transformative Learning Course Innovation
Matthew Vechinski, Ph.D. mjvechinski@vcu.edu
Faculty Director of Transformative Learning Course Innovation
Want help with general information?
For general questions about undergraduate research or related experiential learning programs at VCU, please contact Herb Hill, Ed.D., hhill@vcu.edu AVP for Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry and co-director of Transformative Learning at VCU.
Join the VCU Undergraduate Research listserv!
