Mentoring Undergraduate Research Inside and Outside of the Classroom
Half Day Short Course | Register here
2026 APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition — Boston, MA
1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Are you interested in expanding undergraduate research opportunities in your courses and department, but are unsure how to do so? Do you already mentor undergraduate researchers but want to be more intentional, effective, and sustainable in that work? This half-day workshop is for you.
Undergraduate research can take many forms: scaffolded research assignments in introductory courses, semester-long research papers in upper-division seminars, independent studies and honors theses, and close collaboration with undergraduate research assistants on faculty-led projects. These contexts share a common foundation: teaching students the basics of research methods, empowering them to apply those methods to substantive real-world questions, and supporting their development as researchers in their own right. We will use this foundation as a starting point for our work.
Through a combination of short presentations, guided discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will examine practical strategies for mentoring undergraduate researchers. We will address how to introduce research methods in accessible ways, scaffold research skills over time, design meaningful research tasks, and provide effective feedback and mentorship. Particular attention will be paid to issues of inclusion, scale, and sustainability, including how to support students with diverse backgrounds and levels of preparation.
By the end of the workshop, attendees will:
- learn about examples of mentoring undergraduate researchers in courses, independent projects, and faculty-led research teams, including reflections on challenges and best practices;
- brainstorm ideas for integrating undergraduate research into their own teaching and research agendas;
- review useful policies and tools related to recruitment, training, project design, and mentoring relationships;
- discuss strategies for assessing student learning and evaluating the effectiveness of undergraduate research experiences; and
- begin building a community of faculty interested in undergraduate research who can continue to share ideas, resources, and best practices beyond the conference.
- APSA Annual Meeting Pre-conference Short Courses are half- or full-day events that offer diverse professional development opportunities and allow attendees to connect with scholars from various backgrounds. This year’s pre-conference short courses will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. Sponsored by APSA Organized Sections, Related Groups, and other affiliated organizations. All short courses require pre-registration to attend.
- Register here for the APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition »