URC Planning Conference
January 15-16, 2001

Priority Issues for Undergraduate Research
in the Human Sciences

PRIORITIES:

1. Develop plans (human sciences units) for integrating undergraduate research into the curriculum, including the scholarship of teaching and learning.

2. Develop alternative models for undergraduate research (credit in existing and new courses, stipend/scholarship)

3. Develop incentives, recognitions, and rewards for faculty and students.

4. Build a collaborative Undergraduate Research Community in the human sciences

STEPS TO ACHIEVE THE VISION

1. Develop unit plan (other group)

2. Recognize undergraduate research

3. Develop resources (non-monetary and monetary)

4. Provide faculty development opportunities (other group)

5. Develop rigorous program evaluation (other group)

6. Become involved (human sciences units) in existing undergraduate research systems

• CUR
• NCUR
• National conferences beyond human sciences

STEP 2. Recognize Undergraduate Research

Local :

1. Cross-campus visibility and involvement

2. Awards

3. Recognition of projects, web pages, displays

National:

1. Data base with projects/recognitions

2. National conferences

3. Publications

4. Awards

STEP 3. Develop Resources

1. Peer mentoring (UG, G)

2. Expansion of existing research teams to include undergraduates

3. Inter- and intra-university communication systems

4. Undergraduate research methods courses

5. Fund development

6. Grantspersonship

7. Credit for undergraduate research

8. Publication of “Best Practices” in undergraduate research models

STEPS 1 and 4 and 5 ( SEE OTHER GROUP REPORTS)

Human sciences unit plan – Step 1

Faculty development – Step 4

Rigorous program evaluation – Step 5

STEP 6. Become Involved in Existing Systems

1. Dissemination of information about existing councils, including contact persons at institutions (Dorothy)

2. Expansion of existing councils to include social science research

3. Identification of “Best Practices” and presentations at national conferences on undergraduate research