Council On Undergraduate Research

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The Council on Undergraduate Research, mercifully abbreviated as CUR, exists as a prominent national organization within the academic landscape of the United States . As of the year 2015, a rather significant portion of the higher education ecosystem—specifically, over 900 distinct colleges and universities—fell under its expansive umbrella, a testament to its pervasive, if not entirely captivating, influence in the realm of academic development.

Operating as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) , CUR is, by definition, exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, meaning its mission is purportedly for public benefit rather than private gain. It functions as a non-partisan professional association, which, in essence, means it ostensibly avoids political affiliations while serving the interests of its members—a commendable, if often challenging, feat in any organizational endeavor. Established in 1987, its foundational purpose was, and remains, the steadfast support and vigorous promotion of what it deems “high-quality mentored undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry.” CUR meticulously defines undergraduate research as “a mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.” One might observe that this definition, while precise, also conveniently encompasses nearly any pursuit by a student under faculty guidance, aiming for something beyond mere rote memorization. The scope of CUR’s activities and services is, predictably, wide-ranging; it encompasses various educational programming initiatives, bespoke consulting services for institutions, a series of conferences that gather the interested parties, targeted advocacy efforts, and a roster of publications designed to disseminate its particular brand of wisdom. The daily grind of CUR is managed by an executive director, Lindsay Currie, and a dedicated team of association professionals who, rather sensibly, operate from their base in Maryland.

History

The genesis of CUR can be traced back to 1978, when Brian Andreen, then the Midwest Regional Director for the Research Corporation —an entity focused on advancing scientific research—initiated the formation of a core group. This initial assembly comprised ten particularly research-active chemists, primarily hailing from undergraduate institutions. Their collective objective was quite specific: to compile a comprehensive directory that would meticulously document the performance and productivity of research being conducted within undergraduate chemistry departments. The underlying motivation, a pragmatic one, was to garner much-needed support for faculty members who were already deeply engaged in undergraduate research at these institutions, often with fewer resources than their counterparts at larger universities. This foundational document, a testament to their early efforts, was eventually titled Research in Chemistry at Private Undergraduate Colleges.

The momentum continued, and in 1979, the nascent team reconvened in Pittsburgh. It was at this meeting that discussions turned to the more formal future of this burgeoning collective, which had by then informally adopted the moniker “Council on Undergraduate Research.” It seems even then, a sense of bureaucratic permanence was deemed necessary. Consequently, the group took the decisive step to formalize its status as an official organization and, perhaps more importantly, to trademark its name, ensuring proprietary control over its identity. A pivotal expansion occurred in 1983 when CUR, recognizing the broader landscape of undergraduate education, extended its membership to include public undergraduate institutions. Simultaneously, it broadened its disciplinary scope beyond chemistry, embracing faculty representation from the fields of physics/astronomy and biology. This strategic inclusion marked a significant shift, acknowledging the interdisciplinary nature of research. Today, the organization boasts an impressive structure comprising 11 distinct disciplinary divisions, each catering to specific academic fields. Furthermore, an “at-large” division serves the interests of administrators and faculty from disciplines not specifically covered elsewhere, acting as a catch-all for academic outliers. Finally, a dedicated division for undergraduate research programs represents the specific interests of staff members who are responsible for overseeing and managing institutional undergraduate research programs and offices, ensuring that the logistical backbone of URSCI (Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Inquiry) is adequately supported.

A significant organizational evolution occurred in 2010 when CUR and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) opted to merge their operations. This strategic consolidation resulted in the formation of a single, more formidable entity, with CUR assuming the role of the primary umbrella organization . Under this unified structure, CUR now proudly presents the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) on an annual basis. This conference serves as a pivotal platform where students, representing the full spectrum of academic majors—from the humanities to the hard sciences—are given the opportunity to present the “fruits” of their URSCI (Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Inquiry) experiences. It’s an annual showcase of intellectual labor, where undergraduates, often for the first time, step into the role of presenting their original contributions to a wider academic audience, an experience that can be both terrifying and surprisingly formative.

Governance and leadership

The foundational principles and operational guidelines of CUR are meticulously outlined in its bylaws, which, for the sake of transparency or perhaps simply adherence to best practices, are publicly available. The day-to-day operational leadership, the actual execution of tasks and strategies, falls to CUR’s executive officer and their dedicated staff. These are the individuals tasked with ensuring the wheels of the organization continue to turn, presumably without too much friction. The ultimate governing authority, however, rests with CUR’s Board of Directors. This body bears the weighty responsibility for articulating and safeguarding the organization’s overarching mission, formulating its strategic direction, and, naturally, upholding the integrity of its bylaws. The composition of this Board is carefully structured: it includes the four members comprising the Presidential succession—namely, the Treasurer, the President-Elect, the President, and the Immediate Past-President—along with the Executive Officer, who serves in an ex-officio capacity (meaning by virtue of their office), and nine additional elected Directors. Together, these individuals form the central nervous system of CUR, guiding its trajectory and making the decisions that shape its future.

Further augmenting the governance structure is a multidisciplinary Council. This body, distinct from the Board of Directors, is composed of the Council Chair, the Treasurer (again, ex-officio), the Executive Officer (also ex-officio), and representative members from each of CUR’s various divisions. The Council’s primary function is to provide advisory input to the Board of Directors, offering perspectives from the diverse disciplinary segments of the organization. Each division within CUR is thoughtfully represented by two elected Councilors, ensuring that the voices and specific needs of different academic fields are brought to the advisory table.

In addition to these overarching bodies, CUR maintains three standing committees, each with a critical and enduring role: the executive committee, which presumably handles the high-level administrative tasks; the finance committee, responsible for the rather critical oversight of the organization’s monetary flow; and the nomination and leadership development committee, tasked with the perpetual challenge of identifying and nurturing future leaders. Beyond these permanent fixtures, CUR demonstrates a degree of adaptability by annually charging additional, often temporary, committees, advisory groups, and task forces. These ad-hoc structures are strategically deployed to address specific needs, support the ongoing development of its programs and content, drive strategic initiatives forward, and, of course, manage the various awards and recognition processes.

At a more granular level, each of CUR’s numerous divisions operates with its own internal leadership, typically comprising elected representatives led by an elected Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. The primary objective of these divisional structures is to foster a sense of community and collaboration by creating networking opportunities, organizing specific activities, and developing tailored resources for their respective members. Communication within these divisions is often facilitated through modern digital platforms, leveraging tools such as the CUR Community discussion boards, dedicated blogs, Facebook or LinkedIn groups, and traditional newsletters, ensuring that members remain connected and informed, even if they are scattered across various institutions and disciplines.

Programming and services

CUR, in its ceaseless pursuit of supporting undergraduate research, offers a diverse array of multimodal educational programming throughout each year. This extensive variety of offerings is meticulously designed to bolster the entire URSCI (Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Inquiry) enterprise from virtually every conceivable angle. This includes providing invaluable presentation opportunities for students, equipping them with the skills to articulate their findings; offering advocacy education, which teaches members how to champion the cause of undergraduate research within their institutions and beyond; facilitating faculty professional development, ensuring that mentors are continually honing their skills; guiding individuals through the often labyrinthine processes of grant sourcing and writing, a skill critical for sustaining research endeavors; and much more that falls under the broad banner of academic support. Beyond these educational programs, CUR extends its reach through a specialized consulting service, offering expert advice to institutions seeking to enhance their undergraduate research infrastructure. It also provides a program review service, meticulously evaluating existing undergraduate research initiatives to help institutions identify areas for improvement and best practices.

The organization’s commitment to its constituents is further evidenced by the extensive suite of resources it provides for both faculty mentors and undergraduate research students. For faculty mentors, these resources are designed to address the multifaceted demands of their role. They include a dedicated Job Board hosted on the CUR Community platform, which serves as a centralized hub for posting employment opportunities specifically tailored for faculty, staff, and administrators involved in undergraduate research. Additionally, CUR offers practical tools for fostering international collaborations, recognizing the global nature of scholarly inquiry. Special attention is given to the unique needs of community colleges, providing resources to integrate and strengthen research experiences in these vital institutions. The organization also provides guidance on the systematic assessment of undergraduate research activities and programs, helping institutions measure impact and efficacy. Crucially, it champions undergraduate research advocacy, empowering mentors to make a compelling case for the value of their work.

The Student Resource Center, a parallel repository of support, is specifically curated to assist undergraduates in navigating their research journeys. This includes essential guidance on resume building and networking tips, crucial skills for any aspiring professional. It offers detailed information on various presentation formats, preparing students to effectively communicate their research findings. An extensive, curated listing of undergraduate research opportunities is provided, acting as a gateway to potential projects and experiences. Furthermore, the center lists relevant undergraduate research journals, offering avenues for publication, and details upcoming conferences where students can share their work and engage with a broader academic community.

Presidents

The leadership of the Council on Undergraduate Research has, since its inception, been guided by a series of dedicated individuals who have served as President, steering the organization through various stages of its development. This continuity of leadership is vital for any professional association, ensuring that the mission and strategic goals are consistently pursued. The roster of past presidents reflects a diverse group of academics and administrators who have contributed to CUR’s growth and influence over the decades:

• Michael P. Doyle (1979–1983, 1987–1989)
• Jerry Mohrig (1983–1987)
• Stuart Crampton (1989–1991)
• Laura Hoopes (1991–1992)
• Thomas Goodwin (1992–1993)
• John Mateja (1993–1994)
• Mary Allen (1994–1995)
• Royce Engstrom (1995–1996)
• Thomas Wenzel (1996–1997)
• Neal Abraham (1997–1998)
• Charlotte Otto (1998–1999)
• David Elmes (1999–2000)
• Toufic Hakim (2000–2001)
• Michael Nelson (2001–2002)
• Mitchell Malachowski (2002–2003)
• Jill Singer (2003–2004)
• Tim Elgren (2004–2005)
• Mike Tannenbaum (2005–2006)
• Lori Bettison-Varga (2006–2007)
• Kerry Karukstis (2007–2008)
• Jeffrey Osborn (2008–2009)
• Diane Husic (2009–2010)
• Elizabeth Paul (2010–2011)
• Bill Campbell (2011–2012)
• Mary Crowe (2012–2013)
• Julio Rivera (2013–2014)
• Ami Ahern-Rindell (2014–2015)
• Roger Rowlett (2015–2016)
• Susan Larson (2016–2017)
• Anne Boettcher (2017–2018)
• Iain Crawford (2018–2019)
• Janice DeCosmo (2019–2020)
• Silvia Ronco (2020–2021)
• Jeanne Mekolichick (2021–2022)
• Ruth Palmer (2022–2023)
• Bethany Usher (2023–2024)

Recognition

The Council on Undergraduate Research, perhaps wisely, understands the human need for affirmation and duly recognizes institutions and individuals who have demonstrably provided high-quality research experiences to undergraduates. This system of recognition serves not only to commend excellence but also to incentivize others to elevate their standards in supporting nascent scholars. Beyond the various awards and accolades supported and distributed by each individual disciplinary Division, CUR maintains four particularly distinguished awards, each bolstered by specific gifts and endowments, underscoring their significance and the commitment of their benefactors. These prestigious recognitions include: the Campus-wide Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments (AURA), which celebrates institutions that have woven undergraduate research into the very fabric of their academic culture; the CUR Fellows Award, which honors individual CUR members for their sustained national contributions to undergraduate research; the CUR-Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Award, designed to recognize outstanding faculty mentors of students who have achieved the highly competitive Goldwater Scholarship; and the Silvia Ronco Innovative Faculty Mentor Award, which specifically celebrates faculty members who demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovation in their mentorship of undergraduate researchers. These awards, in their varied forms, aim to highlight and perpetuate the best practices in undergraduate research mentorship and institutional support.

Publications

CUR, in its role as a disseminator of best practices and scholarly insights, maintains a robust publishing arm. It regularly produces a range of informative materials, including meticulously researched position papers that articulate its stance on key issues in undergraduate research; comprehensive white papers that delve into specific topics with greater depth; scholarly monographs that offer detailed studies on particular aspects of mentored undergraduate research; and practical handbooks designed to guide practitioners through new and emergent forms and aspects of this critical educational endeavor. The flagship publication, however, is The Scholarship & Practice of Undergraduate Research (SPUR), a scholarly peer-reviewed journal established in 2017. SPUR is not merely an outlet for academic musings; its explicit aim is to promote a deeper understanding of new and demonstrably effective approaches to URSCI (Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Inquiry). This is achieved through the rigorous publication of high-quality, meticulously peer-reviewed studies, all authored by experienced scholars and practitioners who are actively engaged in the vibrant, sometimes chaotic, world of undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry. It’s an effort to codify and share what actually works, a rare commodity in any field.