Workshops
The Office of Research Student Program organizes workshops to help undergraduate researchers develop the meta-professional skills that make for a happy, healthy, productive research career. The series covers four broad topics: general research competencies, career and graduate school preparation, health and wellness, and communication. A rotation of experts are invited to share their knowledge and help students see the bigger picture and build for themselves an environment in which their research can flourish.
Undergraduate Research Fellows and Honors students have first priority for these workshops, but there is always space for more, so if you are not a URF or Honors, still RSVP, and a week prior to the event, we’ll let you know if there is space. Please only indicate that you are coming if you seriously intend to be there!
Questions? ur@usu.edu
URF Research Explorations
This series of four workshops is required for new Undergraduate Research Fellows. Students who are not part of the URF program but are interested should contact ur@usu.edu. The workshops cover topics including USU's research landscape, research communication, research ethics, and finding a place for yourself as a researcher. The curriculum itself is research-based, and student groups or departments who are interested in adopting it should contact Dr. Alexa Sand alexa.sand@usu.edu. Below are the following dates for each workshop.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Exploration Workshop #1 | Wednesday, September 4, 5:30-7pm | Living Learning Center Building A #101 |
| Exploration Workshop #2 | Wednesday, September 18, 5:30-7pm | Living Learning Center Building A #101 |
| Exploration Workshop #3 | Wednesday, September 25, 5:30-7pm | Living Learning Center Building A #101 |
| Exploration Workshop #4 | Wednesday, October 2, 5:30-7pm | Living Learning Center Building A #101 |
URCO Proposal Writing Workshop with the Science Center
Led by SWC Director Ally Mars (PhD candidate in Biology), this workshop will cover the basics of successful proposal writing and give you a chance to workshop your in-progress application or plan ahead for a future submission. Students and mentors invited!
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, September 24 | 12:00-1:00pm | Huntsman Hall 120 (Zoom available) |
Acing the Graduate School and Scholarship Essay
Are you considering applying to graduate school or for a competitive national scholarship program? Bring your drafts, your concerns, and your ambitions to this workshop where you'll get tips on effective writing, insights on how reviewers read these essays, and an opportunity to troubleshoot or just get started on your own essay.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 9 | 3:30-4:30pm | Huntsman Hall 126 (Zoom available) |
Telling Your Research Story
Whether presenting at a conference, talking to a potential employer, or communicating with the public, communicating your research to others is a critical piece of the picture, and one many of us find challenging. In this workshop, you'll get some practical tips on effective research communication, and have fun taking on the role of storyteller as you practice a variety of communication strategies. Led by Will Gold, Year of Undergraduate Research project lead, and an expert in science communication.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, November 21 | 10:30-11:45am | Engineering 206 (Zoom available) |
Meditation for the Researcher Mind
As the semester draws to a close and your mind is going a million miles a minute, take a break to practice meditation with Dr. Michael Sowder, poet, retired professor of English, and Buddhist meditation teacher. This will be a non-religious meditation, focused on helping you quiet your mind and calm your nerves. Self-care is an integral, and often overlooked element of success as a researcher, and this workshop is intended to help you develop your own healthy habits of mind.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | TBA |