Newswise — The Council on Undergraduate Research announces the release of Undergraduate Research Offices & Programs: Models & Practices by Joyce Kinkead (Utah State University) and Linda Blockus (University of Missouri). Undergraduate research has grown tremendously over the last decade as a high impact practice that enhances students’ skills in inquiry and analysis, reading and understanding research literature, communication, and teamwork. Drawing on the experience of more than 25 contributors from institutions across the U.S., this publication is the next-generation road map for those who are seeking to start or enhance existing undergraduate research programs at their institutions.
The Office of Undergraduate Research & Experiential Learning at the University of Delaware is featured in a chapter authored by Lynnette Overby and Kimberly Saunders. Editor Joyce Kinkead said, “Delaware has made significant investment in undergraduate research over the last few decades and is a leader nationally.” Delaware’s early and intensive undergraduate research program, founded in 1980, was recognized by the National Science Foundation in a RAIRE Award. Since that time, the office has become a mosaic of programs that enhance an undergraduate’s education.
The volume offers pragmatic advice on assessment, special programs, and summer experiences on campuses and at research centers. Showcasing offices and programs at a variety of institutional types and at various points of maturity, each of the model chapters is devoted to an institutional type and follows a template, thus making it easy for the reader to browse chapters and trace a particular theme: mission, resources, events, publications, and even challenges. Linda Blockus, who directs the undergraduate research program at the University of Missouri said, “Sharing ideas and resources is a hallmark of the Council on Undergraduate Research, and it is in this spirit that Undergraduate Research Offices and Programs: Models and Practices was developed.” The book is available for order online beginning June 11, 2012 at http://www.cur.org/publications.html.
##Council on Undergraduate Research: The Council on Undergraduate Research (www.cur.org) supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. Over 650 institutions and nearly 8000 individuals belong to CUR. CUR believes that the best way to capture student interest and create enthusiasm for a discipline is through research in close collaboration with faculty members.
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