Undergraduate research website launches

Purdue has launched a new website designed to help undergraduate students engage in research activities.

Created by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, the site includes searchable lists of opportunities, learning resources for students and faculty, an option for faculty members to add new research opportunities, and information about the annual undergraduate research symposium. The website is located at www.purdue.edu/research/Ugrad/.

The new site leverages previous efforts, led by the Honors College, to create a central website for undergraduate research.

"Many colleges, schools, departments and centers provide information for undergraduate research in their areas," says Suresh Garimella, executive vice president for research and partnerships. "This new website is intended to be a repository of those opportunities."

Additional research opportunities for undergraduate students, both within the University and externally, will be added as they become available.

Along with a searchable list by major disciplinary areas, the site includes learning resources created by undergraduate and graduate students working with Monica F. Cox, associate professor in the School of Engineering Education and director of the International Institute for Engineering Education Assessment.

"This website will help students and faculty who want to engage in effective mentoring and research experiences at Purdue," Cox says. "With these resources, faculty can focus on conducting research more quickly and effectively, and undergraduate students can obtain additional guidance about common research practices and expectations."

Purdue's Office of the Provost reports that around 30 percent of Purdue undergraduates have at least one research experience during their time on campus. Such experiences help build a pipeline for future researchers in academia and industry by honing students' research and presentation skills.

"Ultimately, we want to improve upon that 30 percent level of participation in undergraduate research by lowering the barriers that could limit students and faculty from getting involved," said Deba Dutta, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "This website is a first step toward that process."