Undergraduate Research Consortium Mission

The mission of the UNC Undergraduate Research Consortium is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate research, creative work, and inquiry-based learning in all fields of study with the support of faculty and other mentors.

Definition:

In fulfilling its mission, the consortium uses the following definition of undergraduate research:

"In any field of study, undergraduate students conduct research when they carry out intensive, diligent, and self-directed inquiry (e.g., investigation, scholarship, experimentation, creative work) aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories, hypotheses, practices, or laws in the light of new facts, or application of such new or revised theories, hypotheses, practices, or laws. Such research typically, but not necessarily, is (a) carried out independently or in small teams, (b) assisted by faculty or other mentors, and (c) designed to result in an original scholarly paper or other product that has an anticipated outcome (e.g., publication, presentation, etc.) that is measurable against a series of clearly defined, articulated, and assessable goals."

This definition has been adopted specifically because it fulfills the following criteria:

It acknowledges all forms of inquiry, from research to scholarship to creativity;
It encompasses all fields, from sciences to humanities to arts;
It stresses the importance of faculty/research mentoring partners who typically, but not necessarily, are based at an institution of higher learning; and
It stresses the importance of research projects having an anticipated outcome that is measurable against a series of clearly defined, articulated goals that will be suitable for assessment.

Goals:

In fulfilling its mission, the consortium's goals are to:

Enhance undergraduate teaching and learning by identifying opportunities for students to experience first-hand the processes of scholarly exploration and discovery that characterize academic life;
Help students understand and appreciate the goals, methods, and results of diverse areas of inquiry and ways of knowing;
Apply student enthusiasm and expertise to create new knowledge & enhance faculty endeavors;
Promote appreciation of the valuable role these components play in complementing the other aspects of undergraduate education and in encouraging the pursuit of advanced study and academic careers; and
Communicate and celebrate the results of student-mentor collaborations.

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Undergraduate Research Consortium Mission