Overview
Undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activities are high-impact practices that significantly enhance students’ academic, professional, and personal development. These experiences engage students in inquiry-based learning, creative expression, and the production of original work, fostering a deeper understanding of their disciplines while encouraging intellectual curiosity and innovation. Whether through scientific research, artistic creation, or scholarship, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are essential for success in any field.
Participation in these activities also promotes collaboration with faculty/staff mentors, creating meaningful relationships that provide personalized academic guidance and professional networking opportunities. Students gain practical, transferable skills such as effective communication, project management, and the ability to synthesize and present complex ideas- skills that are highly valued in graduate education and the workforce. Additionally, engaging in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors builds confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging within the academic community, contributing to improved retention and graduation rates.
These experiences encourage interdisciplinary approaches, cultural competence, and innovative thinking, equipping students to address real-world challenges creatively and ethically. Ultimately, undergraduate research, scholarly pursuits, and creative activities prepare students to be lifelong learners and leaders in their chosen fields, while contributing to the advancement of knowledge, culture, and society.
Definition of Undergraduate Research
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), a leading voice in undergraduate research, provides a broad definition for undergraduate research as:
“Undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry is fundamentally a pedagogical approach to teaching and learning. With an emphasis on process, CUR defines undergraduate research as:
A mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.”
Upcoming Events
WiSER Conference 2025
November 14-15, 2025 at UW-La Crosse
The 2nd Annual WiSER Conference is just around the corner! This year will be hosted by UW-La Crosse, November 14-15. Much like last year, the conference is entirely free for trainee scientists, including hotel rooms (provided on a first-come, first-served basis to those who submit an abstract). It is a chance to network, collaborate, disseminate your science, and learn about other science being conducted across the state. Keynote speaker is Dr. Ken Poss, a renowned biologist studying tissue regeneration.
Abstracts to be considered for an oral presentation are due October 1st! Abstracts for poster consideration are due October 31st. All research in the natural and health-related sciences is relevant. Find all the details in the 2-page shareable flyer or on our conference website.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to conference hosts, Dan Bretl (dbretl@uwlax.edu), Jackie Wisinski (jwisinski@uwlax.edu), and Michaela Patterson (mpatterson@mcw.edu). Hope to see you in La Crosse this November!
SAVE THE DATE!
2026 UW Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity
This event is an exciting opportunity to present your undergraduate research, scholarly, or creative works to peers from across the Universities of Wisconsin. It also provides a great opportunity to learn more about what opportunities exist and how to become involved in undergraduate research.
When: Friday, May 1, 2026.
Where: University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
More details coming soon!