Are you interested in doing research at Kenyon but are unsure of how to get started? Are you are curious about what it means to "do research"? Are you unsure of the different opportunities there are to do research at Kenyon and off-campus?

This page provides direction and offers some suggestions to help you get started.

Why do research?

There are many beneficial outcomes to engaging in research, particularly at the undergraduate level. Over the last decade, many prominent journals have published articles discussing the importance and benefits of doing research as an undergraduate. Here are just a few such articles:

• Science "Importance of Undergraduate Research"
• Science "Benefits of Undergraduate Research"
• AAC&U "Undergraduate Research as a High-Impact Student Experience"
• Forbes "Why Research By Undergraduates Is Important For Science And Students"

Benefits summary

• Preparation for graduate or professional school and help you determine areas of science that excite and motivate you
• Develop skills like independence, creative and critical thinking, oral communication, technical skills, and scientific literacy
• Develop strong relationships with faculty, which leads to strong recommendation letters
• Enhance your understanding of material covered in the classroom - see the content you learn in class play out in the lab
• Build and enhance your resume
• Make and impact on your community and world
• Become an advocate for science

How do I get started?

• Visit department websites and faculty research pages to learn more about all the different types of research we do at Kenyon. If there are projects or expertise that seem interesting, reach out to faculty via email or through office hours. They are always excited to talk their research!
• Talk to other students who are engaged in research at Kenyon. Find out what their experience has been and what projects they are working on.
• Many departments host open houses or talks as a way to showcase their research groups. This is a great way to meet faculty and find out how you can get involved in research. Look for announcements and advertisements around the science quad.

What are all the different ways I can do research?

• Volunteer: not sure if you have enough time to commit to a project or know if you will even like doing research? Consider attending group meetings or shadowing students in the research group to see what they do. In some cases you can use this time to learn basic research techniques and help out the research group. This often leads to deeper engagement in the same or a subsequent research group. Talk with a faculty member in your department of interest for more details about how you can get involved.
• Do research for credit: some departments have an associated research course while others have a process for doing research through independent study. This involves doing research with a faculty mentor for one or more semesters. In some departments this counts as an advanced lab towards the major. Talk with a faculty member in your department of interest for more details about how you can get involved.
• Kenyon Summer Science Scholars Program: this on-campus summer research program is for any student looking engage in a mentored research project with a faculty member. Interested students submit a research proposal, in consultation with their faculty mentor early in the spring semester.
• KSSS Cascade Program: this on-campus summer research program is for first and second-year students who don't have any research experience. The application deadline is typically early in the spring semester.
• KSSS Rise Science Fellowship: this fellowship funds off-campus research opportunities for students who already have research experience. The application deadline is typically mid-semester in the spring.
• NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs): there are hundreds of these programs across the US so it can be overwhelming trying to find which ones and how many to apply for. These programs do tend to be very competitive so it is often suggested that you apply for more than ten. Application deadlines vary across programs, but most start reviewing in January and February with a few that go into March.
• Additional opportunities that exist both on-campus and off-campus.

Who should I contact if I have more questions about doing research at Kenyon?

Any faculty member would be excited to talk with you about their research and how to get involved with research in a more formal way. If you have questions about the various research programs offered by Kenyon, please contact Prof. Drew Kerkhoff at kerkhoffa@kenyon.edu