Doing Research this Summer?
If you’re an SU undergraduate student participating in research this summer, either on- or off-campus, or at another institution, please let us know!
Complete the SOURCE Summer Research Survey
Undergraduate Research FAQs
What is research and creative engagement?
Undergraduate research work takes many forms but all follow a similar structure:
- Beginning with a sense of curiosity in the exploration of a topic of interest
- An understanding of the current landscape of a scholarly, professional or creative field of study.
- Designing of a study or project using the methods and tools of a discpline to present evidence that responds to a question or theme.
- All undergraduate research students are supported by a faculty mentor in their field.
- Student research and creative projects may be produced by students at all levels in classes, labs, recitals, as part of a distinction or thesis program, or independently.
Why should I participate in undergraduate research?
Participating in undergraduate research allows you to:
- Apply your knowledge to real-world problems and issues
- Develop a strong faculty mentor relationship
- Improve your problem-solving and creative thinking skills
- Explore potential career areas
- Develop skills you can use on the job market or in grad school
- Explore a topic you find fascinating and participate in the creation of new knowledge
How does undergraduate research work at Syracuse University?
- Students are guided by a faculty mentor (typically a tenured or tenure-track professor) or research staff member.
- In humanities, communications/journalism, business/management, social sciences, arts: students work as part of a research team or one-on-one with a professor to either assist with an ongoing project or design an independent project.
- In STEM fields: students work as part of a lab team, led by a professor (or Primary Investigator, “PI”): students assist with ongoing projects and may take leadership on part of the lab’s work.
- Students may also work off-campus, with a community organization, another university, or do research as part of the study abroad experience.
What are some examples of undergraduate research?
- Miguel Guzman, ’24 – lab research on bioactive protein-cholesterol-based nanoparticles
- Sophie Clinton, ’24 – conducted social science research while abroad in Santiago, Chile
- Ngai Lan Tam ’23 – created an exhibition with structural design, film and performance
- Fátima Bings Martínez ’24 – worked as a research assistant for a literary journal
- Ruchatneet Printup ’23 – directed a film set in his Native community
How do I find a research topic or area of interest?
Jot down a few notes in response to these prompts:
- Readings or lectures from a class that sparked your interest and made you want to learn more or share with a friend
- Problems or issues that you’d like to contribute to solving or improving
- Gaps in your education
- Skills that you’re interested in developing
- Passions, hobbies, and personal interests
- Goals or outcomes that could build your portfolio and be shared with a future employer or graduate school
Connect with others
- Talk to your professors during their office hours about how they first discovered their research interests
- Get inspired at a student research presentation event on campus: the SOURCE Fall Expo, Spring Showcase, or Summer Symposium, or a school/college event
- Go to lectures and talks on campus and ask questions
- Chat with fellow students doing research (you could start with SOURCE Student Research Mentors) about how they found their focus
- If you have a specific post-graduate goal (career, graduate study, etc.), speak with career and academic advisors about the skills you should be building
The Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Engagement (The SOURCE)
New Location: 208 Bowne Hall
315-443-2091 / ugresearch@syr.edu
Please join us for our events – calendar is here
Undergraduate Research FAQs
What is research and creative engagement?
Undergraduate research work takes many forms but all follow a similar structure:
- Beginning with a sense of curiosity in the exploration of a topic of interest
- An understanding of the current landscape of a scholarly, professional or creative field of study.
- Designing of a study or project using the methods and tools of a discpline to present evidence that responds to a question or theme.
- All undergraduate research students are supported by a faculty mentor in their field.
- Student research and creative projects may be produced by students at all levels in classes, labs, recitals, as part of a distinction or thesis program, or independently.
Why should I participate in undergraduate research?
Participating in undergraduate research allows you to:
- Apply your knowledge to real-world problems and issues
- Develop a strong faculty mentor relationship
- Improve your problem-solving and creative thinking skills
- Explore potential career areas
- Develop skills you can use on the job market or in grad school
- Explore a topic you find fascinating and participate in the creation of new knowledge
How does undergraduate research work at Syracuse University?
- Students are guided by a faculty mentor (typically a tenured or tenure-track professor) or research staff member.
- In humanities, communications/journalism, business/management, social sciences, arts: students work as part of a research team or one-on-one with a professor to either assist with an ongoing project or design an independent project.
- In STEM fields: students work as part of a lab team, led by a professor (or Primary Investigator, “PI”): students assist with ongoing projects and may take leadership on part of the lab’s work.
- Students may also work off-campus, with a community organization, another university, or do research as part of the study abroad experience.
What are some examples of undergraduate research?
- Miguel Guzman, ’24 – lab research on bioactive protein-cholesterol-based nanoparticles
- Sophie Clinton, ’24 – conducted social science research while abroad in Santiago, Chile
- Ngai Lan Tam ’23 – created an exhibition with structural design, film and performance
- Fátima Bings Martínez ’24 – worked as a research assistant for a literary journal
- Ruchatneet Printup ’23 – directed a film set in his Native community
How do I find a research topic or area of interest?
Jot down a few notes in response to these prompts:
- Readings or lectures from a class that sparked your interest and made you want to learn more or share with a friend
- Problems or issues that you’d like to contribute to solving or improving
- Gaps in your education
- Skills that you’re interested in developing
- Passions, hobbies, and personal interests
- Goals or outcomes that could build your portfolio and be shared with a future employer or graduate school
Connect with others
- Talk to your professors during their office hours about how they first discovered their research interests
- Get inspired at a student research presentation event on campus: the SOURCE Fall Expo, Spring Showcase, or Summer Symposium, or a school/college event
- Go to lectures and talks on campus and ask questions
- Chat with fellow students doing research (you could start with SOURCE Student Research Mentors) about how they found their focus
- If you have a specific post-graduate goal (career, graduate study, etc.), speak with career and academic advisors about the skills you should be building
The Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Engagement (The SOURCE)
New Location: 208 Bowne Hall
315-443-2091 / ugresearch@syr.edu