Why be a UROP Research Mentor?
​
Join in Civika's mission to create 1 million change makers.
UROP mentors have the opportunity to engage students in research activities that aid in their pursuit of knowledge within their chosen academic field. Early exposure to research creates valuable academic experiences where young minds can take ownership of their interests. UROP mentors aim to transform the current student research paradigm from shelved studies to relevant action research. UROP mentors play a part in their student's professional development by equipping them with research skills that can prepare them for a career in an evolving job market.
CROP mentors can create a lasting legacy through this collaborative faculty and student research process. They can gain significant contributions and creative insights to their faculty initiated projects by working with students. This partnership creates a positive student research experience that can supplement their classroom lessons.
Turn your institution or organization into an innovative leader in the field of research as a UROP mentor.
Mentorship Guidelines
​
​
Mentorship Requirements:
Once a student has taken on your proposal UROP asks that you provide them with orientation and the necessary skills training. As a UROP mentor you may not necessarily be working with your student on a daily basis but you expected to assume the primary responsibility for insuring the quality of your student's learning and research experience.
UROP Student Supervision:
-
Work with your student to schedule meetings to discuss the progress of the research
-
Orient them to the research project and their responsibilities
-
Provide additional background information, materials, or readings to help expand their mastery of the subject and give context to the project.
-
Talk with your student about their career goals, their academic interests, and what they want out of the project.
-
Provide feedback on your student's performance in addition to midterm progress reports.
A UROP mentor should be facilitating a positive learning experience where students can safely explore.
​
Mentorship Tips:
-
Set clear expectations for what you expect of your student. Explain what tasks they will be given and why these tasks are important. Also let them know how they can earn more responsibility and work more independently.
-
Establish regular meeting times with your student. These meetings can be once a week, once a month, in person, or through phone or E-mail. This provides an avenue for you as the mentor to provide your student with feedback and for your student to update you on progress and ask questions.
-
Share your policy regarding questions, note taking, and the best way to communicate with you. It is better for your student to be comfortable asking you questions than having to remedy a mistake down the line.
-
Remember you are a mentor. Try and connect with your student, ask them how their classes are going or how they are adjusting to the research process. This personal touch is invaluable for students and can help strengthen your bond.
Submitting a Research Proposal
​
Guidelines:
UROP Mentor project proposals are an essential component in the student learning process. Each project proposal should be designed in such a way that UROP Student(s) can be completed in either an academic semester or year. Proposals can be a small part of a large existing project, pilot research to provide evidence for a new study, or other scholarly endeavors.
​
Requirements:
In order to attract a pool of applicants interested in your project it is recommended that proposals include a brief description of the context and background of the proposal. Why is this question currently relevant?
In order to attract a pool of applicants interested in your project it is recommended that proposals include a brief description of the context and background of the question. Why is the research question being studied currently relevant? In addition, the tasks and responsibilities of the student should also be clearly described. Finally, what could the students potentially gain from their experience working on the project.
​
​
