FAU Creating Culture of Undergraduate Research

By kelsie weekes | 4/16/2018

More than 250 undergraduate students recently participated in Florida Atlantic University’s eighth annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at FAU’s Student Union. Students from all FAU campuses and colleges presented their research and scholarly findings in both oral and poster formats. The event was organized by FAU’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI).

“It is uplifting to see the level of scholarship that is presented each year by these undergraduates,” said Donna Chamely-Wiik, Ph.D., assistant dean of undergraduate research. “After all of their hard work and dedication, faculty, staff and their peers get to celebrate in their successes and provide feedback on their projects.”

Topics presented at this year’s symposium included: “The American Perception and Ideology Towards Refugees;” “Vignettes and Their Role in Bullying Research;” “Pedestrian Conveyance Path Usage in a South Florida Campus Environment;” and “An Evaluation of Productivity for Florida Burrowing Owls in a South Florida Population.”

By participating in research, students learn how knowledge is created and how knowledge can be overturned with new evidence. It also teaches students how to work independently, overcome obstacles and learn the importance of ethics and personal conduct in the research process.

FAU’s OURI serves as a centralized support office for faculty and students engaged in undergraduate research and inquiry. They work to provide opportunities for student researchers through grants, journals, showcases and new research initiatives.

For a list of this year’s winners, visit www.fau.edu/ouri/undergrad_symposium.php

-FAU-