The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is looking for motivated and personable undergraduate students in all majors who are excited to introduce and support peers through the Illinois research experience. If you have participated in a research project, be it through coursework, assisting faculty, research staff, or graduate students, or conducting a project of your own, we invite you to apply to become an Illinois Undergraduate Research Ambassador and help other students along their research journeys.
This application is for the 24/25 academic year. Students will dedicate 5 hours in the Spring 2024 semester to training and assisting with the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Ambassadors will then be expected to work 30 hours per semester for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Program Description
Illinois Undergraduate Research Ambassadors (IURA) are a collaborative cohort of accomplished and experienced students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ambassadors will promote undergraduate research on the UIUC campus and help the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) develop and maintain student-focused programs that represent UIUC’s diverse array of disciplines.
As an undergraduate research ambassador, you will:
- Represent and promote OUR's mission to current and prospective undergraduate researchers at on-campus recruiting & outreach events, classroom presentations, and other informational events.
- Lead or assist in workshops on undergraduate research and participate as a panelist to share your experience in undergraduate research.
- Support OUR's social media campaigns.
- Mentor, support, and guide undergraduate students at various stages of their research journey.
- Assist in the organization and logistics of the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
- Have access to professional development opportunities, such as training in peer mentoring, communication, public speaking, event planning, outreach, and program development.
Requirements
- At least 1 semester of engagement in research/creative inquiry
- Ability to dedicate 5 hours over the Spring 2024 semester
- Ability to dedicate at least 3 hours to assist with the Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 25, 2024
- Ability to dedicate 30 hours over the course of the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semester
- Commitment to actively participate in all assigned responsibilities, including occasional mandatory weekend and evening events
- Possession of excellent communication skills.
- Proven reliability, organization, personability, and respectfulness.
- A strong commitment and excitement for the opportunity to support current and prospective undergraduate researchers.
Does my experience count as research?
Research looks different across various fields! How do you know if you have research experience? You probably have experience if you have:
- Participated in a research-based course
- Participated in a research program
- Are currently pursuing a thesis, capstone project, or independent study
- Have done any of the following under the supervision of a graduate student, faculty, or research staff member:
- Conducted lab work
- Conducted literature reviews
- Conducted textual analysis of different literature
- Analyzed primary sources
- Conducted interviews, surveys, or focus groups
- Produce creative work (e.g., story, artwork, etc.) based on some of the previous steps
If you are interested but unsure that you have research/creative inquiry experience, reach out to us! We can help you figure out if the Ambassadors Program is right for you.
Apply at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1401369221
Deadline to apply is Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:59pm
