The journal focuses on the mentoring of undergraduate research across disciplines, a practice for which Elon has received national recognition.
Perspectives on Undergraduate Research Mentoring (PURM), a peer-reviewed journal managed by the Elon University Undergraduate Research Program, announces the publication of two themed issues in 2026, titled “Developing Career Readiness through Undergraduate Research Participation” and “Federally Funded Undergraduate Research Programs: What is at Stake.”
The journal focuses on the mentoring of undergraduate research across disciplines, a practice for which Elon has received national recognition.
In 2026, the Elon Undergraduate Research Program and PURM published two themed issues: one on Developing Career Readiness through Undergraduate Research Participation and one titled Federally Funded Undergraduate Research Programs: What is at Stake.
The career readiness issue was guest edited by Paul Miller, professor of exercise science, and focuses on the development of student competencies through undergraduate research experiences and their alignment with competencies and skills needed in professional life after graduation. The issue includes five research articles, one dialogue, and one student perspective piece, as well as six general submissions of scholarship on undergraduate research mentoring.
The issue on Federally Funded Undergraduate Research Programs was guest-edited by Claudia Scholz, at the University of Virginia and Laura Wagner, at The Ohio State University. This themed issue documents the efforts of programs such as National Science Foundation REUs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) to advance student opportunities and the practice of undergraduate research mentoring. The issue includes three research articles, one student perspective piece, three dialogues, six case studies, and one invited viewpoint, as well as one general submission of scholarship on undergraduate research mentoring.
PURM is unique in its focus on the mentoring of undergraduate research and creative endeavors, as well as its intentional inclusion of the multiple voices involved in undergraduate research, including mentors and students. The journal welcomes both contributions that align with special issue themes as well as general submissions. More information on PURM and manuscript submission is available online.