About 50 percent of the University's undergraduate students are engaged in some form of out-of-the-classroom research, according to Nicole Hurd, assistant dean and director of the College Fellowships Office.
The Undergraduate Research Network is shedding light on that population this week, hosting a wide range of events for Undergraduate Research Week.
"The fact that so many students are involved in research says a lot about this generation," Hurd said. "They really like to get their hands dirty and to explore."
The URN will cap off Research Week today with a discussion titled "Best and Worst Things about Writing a Thesis," at 1:30 p.m. in Clemons.
"Our goal this week was both to promote research to undergraduates who are already involved and to engage other students in undergraduate research," said third-year College student Maggie Samra, chair of the URN. "We also want to answer questions for students who want to get involved with undergraduate research."
Student panels on how to get involved with research in all fields of study across the University were featured Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The week also included fireside chats with several University faculty members who discussed their undergraduate research experience and the benefits of undergraduate research.
"We really wanted to celebrate research as well as showcase new opportunities for students to become involved in research," Hurd said.
Winners of research grants also were announced yesterday as a highlight of the week.
Forty-three projects were awarded the Harrison Undergraduate Research Award, which gives $3,000 to a student or pair of students and $1,000 to their faculty mentor to pursue a research project.
This year, 140 teams applied for the award, and a total of $160,000 was awarded. Over the past four years, 150 awards have been presented.
In addition, five students received the Keenan Award for summer research on the Academical Village.
The University's research office also handed out Double Hoo Grants for the first time. The grants give a pair -- one graduate student and one undergraduate student -- $5,000 for a research project.
"Undergraduate research has two principal benefits," Hurd said. "First, here at U.Va., research gives the student a chance to experience what the University is all about in terms of acquiring knowledge. Second, undergraduate research makes students better candidates for employment or graduate work."
Unlike many other research institutions, the University features a significant amount of research in the humanities, Hurd said.
The fifth edition of "The Oculus," a journal that publishes undergraduate theses, also came out this week.
Read More
Letter from 12 deans to Board of Visitors goes unanswered for almost two weeks
By Naima Sawaya | 14 minutes agoAt the time of publication, the academic deans had received no response from the Board regarding their offer to meet with the Board “as soon as possible.”
Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more
By Grace Traxler | YesterdayIn an informal Q&A session, audience members asked about threats to federal research, the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University, potential shifts in the Democratic Party and more.
Summer Language Institute sees record high enrollment in its 45th year
By Zach Minkin | YesterdayFor the first time in its 45-year history, SLI is featuring both four week and eight week options, where it previously only offered an eight week program.
