International perspectives on undergraduate

research

Professor Angela BrewMacquarie University, Sydney

Australia

Plan

Trends

Threats

opportunities

Forms of undergraduate research

Research experience programs

Curriculum initiatives

Final year dissertations

Support and drivers

Extent of funding and support by governments and research funding bodies

Nature of institutions: What is a university?

Threats

Strong and growing: mass higher education, increasing casualization etc.

Funding affecting the amount of time students can spend

Trend to diversify institutionsDisconnect between research experience

programs and curriculum developmentIndividual autonomy versus whole of program

Opportunities

Extend disciplinary reachStaff development of teachers about research

and researchers about teachingA way of achieving other initiatives such as

work-integrated learningReward undergraduate research through

assessment

Conclusion

Undergraduate research experience programs becoming more widespread internationally

Counter threats to research-based learning within the curriculum strong and growing.

New developments are emergingStaff development is needed