Those ‘gaps’ and ‘walls’ that a researcher encounters are not stopping places—they’re starting places. They are questions that no one has asked yet, so maybe I can be the one to ask them.
Bonnie Piercy
Faculty of Arts, PURE 2022
Why should you do undergraduate research?
Engaging in undergraduate research can play a pivotal role in your professional and academic development and further develop your skills:
- Go in-depth on a subject of interest to you
- Collaborate with researchers, experts, and practitioners
- Develop your problem-solving abilities and grow your resiliency
- Sharpen your critical thinking and analytical skills
- Hone your autonomy and sense of self
- Clarify your career interests and expand possibilities
What is undergraduate research?
Undergraduate research gives you an opportunity to explore a research question that leads you to discovery, creativity and innovation. The research you do, under the guidance of an instructor or a mentor, can have a real impact on the world and result in an original contribution to a field of knowledge.
It's an opportunity to gain confidence and skills in research, scholarship, or creative expression — there are many types of research to explore!
High-quality research experiences will:
- Evoke your curiosity
- Engage you in the process of discovery
- Provide opportunities to share your findings
- Extend your learning through critical reflection
Dive into undergraduate research
Check out this series of open-access videos where UCalgary graduate students provide useful insights related to developing research skills.
Upcoming events
Elyse Bouvier/University of Calgary 2023
Course-based undergraduate research
Implementing a high-quality research experience in a course provides an opportunity that sparks students’ curiosity, and drives student-led discovery while allowing students the chance to disseminate their findings and reflect on the process.
Faculty resources
Undergraduate research experiences engage students in the process of discovery. Find resources to bring undergraduate research into your courses or get involved by supervising a summer research student.
University of Calgary 2020
Undergraduate research news
Student finds her passion in an unexpected place: UCalgary summer program
How 3 summers inspired master’s candidate Megan Harmon to pursue a career in data science and health research
Looking back on a year of exceptional undergraduate research experiences
In 2023, students researched everything from natural dyes to AI detection tools during summer studentships
Class of 2023: Job in a genetics research lab came with surprising benefits for UCalgary undergrad
Hands-on experience widened Jess Churcher’s education and opened a door to a future career
UCalgary researchers discover unique differences in cancer cells based on where they are in a tumour
Findings indicate cells at the edge of a tumour may hold the key to guide treatment
How a summer research project helped an undergrad heal
Student-researcher Nick Basilio uses PURE award to create autoethnography on his experience as a queer, racialized runner
UCalgary nursing student creates inclusive guide for starting IVs
Tolu Adewole wants to fill knowledge gap in training for working with patients of colour