As a top-tier research institution, the University of Utah is a national leader in research excellence, innovation and discovery. A common misconception is that research is primarily for graduate students, but undergraduate students at the U are employed as researchers and research assistants all over campus. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) helps students get involved, celebrates their work and provides opportunities for undergraduates to present their research to the community.
Next month, the OUR will host both the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award ceremony and the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award ceremony
The OUR introduced the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award (OURA) in 2015. Each year, the office recognizes one undergraduate researcher from each college/school with the award. Partnering colleges/schools are responsible for selecting the awardee.
The 2022 OURA winners will be honored during a ceremony on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. To encourage public health and safety, the ceremony will be live-streamed and in-person attendees are limited to invitation only and the event will be mask-friendly.
The 2022 awardees will be posted here.
Also acknowledged during the ceremony are the Office of Undergraduate Researcher 2021-22 scholars of the Dee Scholarship, Francis Family Scholarship and the Parent Fund Scholarship.
The John A. and Irene F. Francis Endowment Fund was established by John A. Francis in memory of his wife, Irene F. Francis, and to acknowledge the work of his son, John G. Francis, professor of political science at the University of Utah. The Francis Endowment Fund recognizes outstanding undergraduate researchers in the arts, social sciences and humanities.
The Dee Scholarship recognizes undergraduate researchers whose research contributes to the well-being of residents in northern Utah. The Lawrence T. Dee and Janet T. Dee Foundation was established by Lawrence Taylor and Janet Teller Dee in 1971 and remains a family foundation.
The Parent Fund is sustained by parents and supports student-centered programs and initiatives. The Parent Fund plays an integral role in the University of Utah’s ability to provide students with exceptional opportunities inside and outside the classroom.
View all of the 2021–2022 scholars here.
The ceremony also announces the Monson Prize winner. The Charles H. Monson Essay Prize honors Charles H. Monson, Jr., a distinguished member of the University of Utah Philosophy Department from 1958 to 1975. In his honor, the annual prize is awarded to a student whose outstanding paper is on the subject of social change.
Undergraduate Research Symposium
The Undergraduate Research Symposium provides an opportunity for University of Utah students to present their work in a scholarly setting to students, faculty and other members of the U community. Undergraduate students from all disciplines at the U are invited to present their research and creative work.
This spring, students will have the option to present in-person or virtually on April 5, 2022. The event is open to the public and will take place at the University of Utah in the A. Ray Olpin Student Union and virtually here from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Learn more and register to present by March 25 here.