7 ways faculty can encourage student participation in undergraduate research
The Undergraduate Research Center is now accepting abstracts for the 36th Annual Undergraduate Research Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference April 25-26.
Raynell Hamilton-Starks, the research center director, said faculty participation is essential to conference success. Each year, more than 700 undergraduates participate across a variety of disciplines.
“Your involvement is vital,” Hamilton-Starks said. “Your enthusiasm can inspire students to participate in scholarly research and also explore advanced degrees and research careers.”
Consider other ways you might motivate students to attend and participate in the research conference.
1. Assign conference attendance
Incorporate the conference into your course and include it on the syllabus. Assign students to attend specific sessions, engage with presenters and write a summary of their experience. Suggest students use the abstract book to find topics of interest.
2. Encourage students to present
If your students conduct research, urge them to present at the conference and highlight the benefits to them, such as sharing findings, receiving feedback and connecting with peers and professionals in their field. You can also acknowledge their achievement, share your conference experiences and facilitate peer support. Participation can improve their communication skills and foster their academic and professional growth.
3. Offer extra credit
Provide extra credit for students who attend and participate in the conference. This can incentivize attendance and engagement. Be clear about the expectations and criteria for earning extra credit.
4. Facilitate group attendance
Organize class outings to conference sessions. This will create a sense of community among students and give them a supportive environment to discuss and reflect on the research.
5. Encourage discussion
Use the conference as a topic for class discussion. Ask students to share their thoughts, interests and expectations about the event. This will generate excitement and anticipation among the students.
6. Promote networking opportunities
Emphasize the opportunities provided by conference attendance. Share with students how they can interact with peers, faculty and potential mentors. Networking can enhance their academic and professional growth.
7. Moderate
Sign up to moderate at the conference. We seek faculty moderators from all disciplines to provide comments and questions to student presenters. Moderators do not judge presentations. Moderators interact with student presenters for the poster, arts and design and oral presentations.