CUREs and Undergraduate Research

Goal #1:

Increase the number of courses integrating CURES (26 courses by Year 5) 

KU’s Title III project supports the development of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURES) that allow students to: 

  1.  Participate in research opportunities within their traditional course time.

  2. Overcome the barrier of unpaid research experiences for students who must work during the academic year and/or summer. 

    THE HOW?
    Spearheaded by the Center of Engaged Learning, Dr. Erin Kraal and Mr. Doug Scott 

    • Faculty members attend the summer CURES Implementation Workshop and submit an Action Plan to receive a training stipend
    • Mentors are selected from previous year participants and will receive stipends to build the next training pool of faculty and to serve as coaches through the following summer and fall terms (for example, participate in May 2024 and serve as a mentor from January through December 2025) 

    9: # of faculty who attended Year 1 CURES training in May 2024 

    Goal # 2:

    Increase undergraduate student awareness of and participation in research opportunities as a high-impact practice. 

    THE HOW?
    Spearheaded by Undergraduate Research Coordinator, Dr. Lynn Kutch 

    • Provide materials to FYSM instructors to introduce all incoming students to undergraduate research opportunities early in their KU career 
    • Coordinate workshops each spring for students to discuss what undergraduate research entails, its importance, preparation, the process, selecting a topic, using library resources, and preparing for presentations and publications 
    • Create and maintain a database of faculty researchers across disciplines to assist students in identifying faculty research mentors 
    • Maintain a list of opportunities to publish and present student research at university, regional, state, and national professional conference 
    • Collaborate with programs that service our most underrepresented students (underrepresented minority, low-income, and first-generation) to increase their % of participation comparable to their share of KU enrollment 
    Quotation Mark

    SUPPORTING FACULTY TO INCORPORATE RESEARCH INTO COURSES WILL BRING RESEARCH EXPERIENCES TO A WIDER STUDENT AUDIENCE.

    COMING SOON: 

    • Year 2 CURES Implementation Workshop for Faculty (May 2025): including mentors from faculty peers to coach through the planning and implementation process. 

    IN THE WORKS: 

    • Faculty Research Database: communicate open opportunities for students interested in collaborating on research projects.
    • Revamping of Spring Research Workshop Series for Students: Three levels of topics to meet students where they are in their research journey.