The Office for Undergraduate Research (OUR) is a one-stop clearinghouse for undergraduate research. We promote and facilitate research, scholarship and creative activities by undergraduate students across all the various disciplines at UAB. The Office provides information and tools necessary to educate undergraduate students about research, help them find and engage in fulfilling research opportunities, and assist students in communicating their findings. We work closely with faculty to support ongoing undergraduate research efforts, as well as to assist those interested in adopting a research pedagogy and/or serving as a mentor.
OUR's primary responsibilities are:
- Maintaining a searchable database of undergraduate research opportunities that match student interests to faculty research
- Facilitating connection between faculty and students interested in undergraduate research
- Providing outlets and opportunities for communicating results of student research
See Summer Research Expo, UAB Expo
- Promoting undergraduate research to internal and external audiences
- Coordinating central support for undergraduate research
The Council on Undergraduate Research defines research as a student-faculty collaboration to examine, create and share new knowledge or works in ways commensurate with practices in the discipline. OUR's primary goal is to increase the level of undergraduate research activity at UAB, whether conducted by the hard sciences or by the creative arts or occurring in the lab or on the stage. This activity may come in the following forms:
- Discovery e.g. sciences, creative arts
- Integration e.g. interdisciplinary studies
- Application e.g. engineering applications, community-based research
- Teaching e.g. education
We believe research prepares students for the complexities of the real world by providing experiential learning in current thought-provoking settings. Research not only stimulates and sharpens problem-solving and communication skills, but immerses students in cutting-edge investigation and scholarship. OUR is committed to engaging students in an enriched learning environment, whereby they develop the necessary skills for academic and professional success.
Dr. Christopher Reaves
Director, Office for Undergraduate Research
Phone: (205) 934-8667
Fax: (205) 996-9224
cwreaves@uab.edu Mailing address:
Heritage Hall Building #525
1530 3rd Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35294