Call for Applications
Elon University is pleased to announce the 2014-2016 Center for Engaged Learning Seminar on Mentoring Undergraduate Research, a two-year research seminar that supports individuals interested in pursuing research that advances excellence in mentoring undergraduate research. We invite interested scholars from across the disciplines to submit applications to join a cohort of researchers collaborating on the study of evidenced-based, high-quality undergraduate research mentoring practices in diverse academic ecologies. Although most investigations of undergraduate research have targeted the STEM disciplines, we encourage applications from all disciplines including Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Physical and Natural Sciences.
Read the Full Call for Applications | Download an Application Form
Hosting 24 to 30 accepted participants, the Seminar will facilitate multi-institutional, multi-method research investigations related to the following topics:
1) Key characteristics of mentoring undergraduate research
- What defines high quality UR mentoring, and what does not?
- What are proximal and distal outcomes of UR mentoring?
- Are there unique outcomes of UR mentoring that distinguish it from other mentoring relationships and other high-impact practices?
- What is the role of UR mentoring in developing an intellectual community on campus?
2) Mentoring relationships and student development
- Recognizing that students come from diverse backgrounds and communities, how can faculty mentors best support all students’ participation and success in UR?
- What mentoring practices support students' identity development?
- What mentoring constellations and peer constellations do students participate in, and how does participation in different communities influence their personal and professional development?
3) Mentoring practices and faculty development in academic communities
- How can institutions and UR programs assess faculty mentor effectiveness?
- What institutional supports and practices most effectively foster good mentoring?
- How can mentoring be distinguished from other faculty roles including teacher, advisor, and scholar? What overlap exists among these roles and does excellence in mentoring strengthen the other roles?
- Does participation in a community of mentors influence mentoring practices and faculty development more broadly?
- How can we prepare and support faculty mentors across their career development?
- How do institutional programs (e.g., Honors, UR Program, Summer Research Programs) and policies (e.g., tenure evaluation) influence mentoring practices and faculty participation in UR?
Participants will produce significant, concrete outcomes. Outcomes of the Center for Engaged Learning Seminar could include white papers, an edited volume, conference panels, individual publications, and/or a website gallery of cohort projects – as well as local initiatives on participants’ home campuses.
Click here to read the full call for applications.
To Apply
To apply, submit a completed application and abbreviated curriculum vita by 5:00 PM Eastern on October 31, 2013. The application asks for the following information:
- Which research question(s) above are you most interested in examining, and why?
- How does this topic fit with your existing scholarly work? Does it have a larger institutional context at your campus?
- What research methods do you anticipate employing to study mentoring undergraduate research? Do you have experience using these methods?
- Are there unique demographic/background variables relevant to your research questions?
- What is the institutional context for your work?
- What kinds of expertise do you bring to the study of mentoring undergraduate research?
More than one person per institution may apply, and teams that cross disciplines or institutional areas of responsibility are encouraged. Although CEL Seminar projects will be multi-institutional, applicants do not need to form these teams before they apply; CEL Seminar leaders will create initial teams based on applicants’ information.
A review committee, including the seminar leaders, will review applications, make selections, and notify all applicants by December 2. Questions about the application and selection process should be directed to Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler and Paul Miller at mentoringUR@elon.edu.