U.Va. Research Week April 11 Through 15
Undergraduate research showcased

April 9, 2005 -- The University of Virginia will hold its second annual Research Week beginning Monday, April 11, until Friday, April 15.

Sponsored by the Undergraduate Research Network, the Center for Undergraduate Excellence and the University of Virginia Library, events throughout the week will offer undergraduate researchers a chance to present their work and for aspiring researchers to learn from their peers.

The latest group of 43 Harrison Undergraduate Research Award-winners will be announced in the Dome Room of the Rotunda at noon on Monday, by Edward L. Ayers, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences; and J. Milton Adams, vice provost for academic programs. Additionally, four Kenan Awards for research on the Academical Village, and 10 Double ’Hoo research awards, which pair graduate students and undergraduate researchers on a single project, will be announced at that time.

There are a variety of other research-related events and activities during Research Week, including:

• the Undergraduate Research Network Spring Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Symposium, which will feature workshops and panel discussions encouraging students to get involved in humanities and scientific research;
• informal chats with faculty members;
• research presentations and poster sessions;
• presentations from the Global Heath scholars
• unveiling of the latest issue of the Oculus, the University’s undergraduate research journal.

“Research plays to the strength of the University,” said Nicole F. Hurd, assistant dean and director of the Center for Undergraduate Excellence. “We are a major research university with an intimate learning environment.”

Since the introduction of the Harrison undergraduate research fellowships six years ago, Hurd said students have become better candidates for fellowships, graduate and professional school admissions, and career placement.

“Research has been opening doors and advancing students in meaningful ways,” she said. “Research Week lets the entire student body know about the awards and [types of] opportunities for them to get involved.”

According to Hurd, the amount of undergraduate research has tripled in the past six years, and now many students incorporate research into their educational program. Much of that is self-funded, she added.

“The awards have highlighted the opportunities, but one of the strengths of the University is how many students are pursuing research regardless of funding,” Hurd said.

Many of the research projects presented this week are based in the humanities.

“Unlike many of our peer institutions, U.Va. has a large number of students doing research in the humanities and social sciences,” she said. “We have had more Harrison Awards given out for humanities research than for the hard sciences.”

A complete schedule of Research Week events is posted at: http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/urn/home.php.

Contact: Nicole F. Hurd, (434) 924-6082

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact the Office of University Relations at (434) 924-7116. Television reporters should contact the TV News Office at (434) 924-7550.

SOURCE: U.Va. News Services

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