Undergraduate Research
Discover a world of research at UCalgary
What I loved about the research process was that every day was different if I wanted it to be. I thought it would be really rigid, a list of tasks to do. I thought it would be a job. But it turned out to be a passionate lifestyle.
Billy "Me" Wijaya
Faculty of Arts, PURE 2024
Why should you do undergraduate research?
Engaging in undergraduate research can play a pivotal role in your professional and academic development and further develop your skills:
- Go in-depth on a subject of interest to you
- Collaborate with researchers, experts, and practitioners
- Develop your problem-solving abilities and grow your resiliency
- Sharpen your critical thinking and analytical skills
- Hone your autonomy and sense of self
- Clarify your career interests and expand possibilities
What is undergraduate research?
Undergraduate research gives you an opportunity to explore a research question that leads you to discovery, creativity and innovation. The research you do, under the guidance of an instructor or a mentor, can have a real impact on the world and result in an original contribution to a field of knowledge.
It's an opportunity to gain confidence and skills in research, scholarship, or creative expression — there are many types of research to explore!
High-quality research experiences will:
- Evoke your curiosity
- Engage you in the process of discovery
- Provide opportunities to share your findings
- Extend your learning through critical reflection
Ready for Research
Get ready to engage in research with this badge program that covers everything from how to choose a topic to managing a research project.
Undergraduate Research Summer Studentships
Awards up to $7,500 give you an opportunity to lead your own summer research project with an on-campus mentor.
Student stories
Read student stories about the variety of ways to engage in research at UCalgary.
Dive into undergraduate research
Check out this series of open-access videos where UCalgary graduate students provide useful insights related to developing research skills.
Undergraduate student Lauryn Anderson tests an app she created as part of the PURE program with her supervisors Dr. Lora Oehlberg, PhD, and Dr. Wesley Willet, PhD.
Elyse Bouvier/University of Calgary 2023
Course-based undergraduate research
Implementing a high-quality research experience in a course provides an opportunity that sparks students’ curiosity, and drives student-led discovery while allowing students the chance to disseminate their findings and reflect on the process.
Faculty resources
Undergraduate research experiences engage students in the process of discovery. Find resources to bring undergraduate research into your courses or get involved by supervising a summer research student.
Department of Geoscience PhD student Gerardo Zegers and undergraduate student/field assistant David Garcia Larez deploy i-buttons temperature loggers to study the permafrost on Fortress Mountain. Zegers and Garcia are students of Dr. Masaki Hayashi.
University of Calgary 2020
Undergraduate research news
O'Brien Institute 2025 Learning Health System Catalyst Awardees
Congratulations to all our awardees
UCalgary researcher finds way to predict whirling disease with almost no data
Study could help to provide early warning signals for other emerging waterborne diseases
Five distinguished members of UCalgary community appointed to Order of Canada
Rosalie Silberman Abella, Eddy Isaacs, Gillian Kydd, Whitney Michelle Rockley, and Karl Tomm recognized for outstanding accomplishments and service to the nation
Aerospace Innovation Hub set to anchor Calgary's growing aerospace sector
With its new headquarters at Calgary International Airport, the AIH is now open to members as a bridge between research, commercialization and industry
Undergraduate research mini story: Abbey Blinkhorn
Project: The Impact of Brand Silence: Exploring Canadian Consumer Reactions to Brands Staying Quiet During Sociopolitical Issues Supervisor: Mehdi Mourali, Haskayne School of Business
How to avoid the winter blues
Tips from UCalgary Nursing, and People and Culture on maintaining good mental health