Tomorrow’s undergraduate research panel will discuss benefits and burdens of collaborating with undergraduates
(The Beacon)
By Natalie Wheeler, Staff Writer -- wheelern12@up.edu
Once a week, junior Enid Spitz meets up with English professor John Orr to discuss their research on Mourning Dove, an early 20th century Native American author. Spitz is one of a few undergraduate students at UP who work with humanities professors in their research.
"Undergraduate research in the humanities really doesn't happen at UP," Spitz said. "I think we went into it to prove it can be done."
According to its five-year Strategic Plan, UP is on Spitz's side. Because undergraduate research fosters both learning and career benefits for students, one strategy goal is to "increase the frequency of collaborative research between faculty and undergraduate students."
In an effort to fulfill that goal, the University will host an undergraduate research panel tomorrow in BC 163 at 4 p.m., aimed at showing professors across all disciplines the benefits and burdens of involving undergraduates in their research.
Because UP has a small number of graduate students, Orr, who is part of a committee tasked with fulfilling the Strategic Plan goal, said it makes sense to look to undergraduates for research assistance.
"Down the line, this could be a real drawing card for the University," Orr, who is also the assistant to the Provost, said. "Come here and you have the chance to be involved in real research."
Traditionally an arena dominated by the sciences, Orr said student involvement in research is beneficial for both the student and professor. The student usually receives either academic credit or monetary compensation, as well as a byline on the published work. The professor receives some much-needed motivation.
"Ask any of the faculty members: It's easy to see research as the thing you do in the summer and on breaks," Orr said. "But we set up a weekly meeting, I know we're going to meet and I sit down and do the work. It keeps me on task."
There is no current undergraduate research office at UP, which makes it difficult for students to link up with the right professor with similar research interests. Biology professor Ami Ahern-Rindell, who is secretary of the national Council on Undergraduate Research, said one of her long-term goals is to create such a place on campus for students and professors to merge their research aspirations.
"There are just so much that benefits students when they engage in scholarship, creative activity," Ahern-Rindell said. "The bonding they do with the faculty, the self-esteem – and not to mention it's good for retention."
Although there are no concrete plans yet to develop an undergraduate research office, Ahern-Rindell hopes that Friday's panel will inspire professors across all disciplines to give undergraduate research a try.
According to biology professor Jeff Brown, who will share his experience with undergraduate research as part of the panel on Friday, UP's sciences already use a large number of undergraduates in their research compared to more research-driven institutions, which instead look to graduates and post-graduates instead.
Despite his own collaboration with undergraduates in research, Brown admits there are both benefits and drawbacks to taking it on.
"There are definite limiting factors," Brown said. "It takes time to teach the students, it requires funding and research, but it also helps us keep on track. I really value helping to develop the next generation of scientists."
Many science professors are hopeful that some RISE campaign funds will go towards lab equipment and grants to help the sciences' reliance on undergraduates – something Brown feels passionate about due to his own undergraduate experience.
"I've been involved in research myself since I was a freshman in college," Brown said. "Had I not experienced that, I probably would not have gone down the path I did in life. It's been really instrumental, both personally and professionally."
