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Center For Undergraduate Research & Creativity

Center For Undergraduate Research and Creativity

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity (CURC) promotes and facilitates research experiences for undergraduate students and has as its mission to function, under the umbrella of the Office of the Provost, as the university hub for coordinating and communicating opportunities for undergraduate research and creative and scholarly activities to the university community. 

The CURC will assist the undergraduate research, creative and/or scholarly activity efforts at CAU through the distribution of university funds to support such efforts and travel for undergraduate students to disseminate original results.  Clark Atlanta University has placed faculty-student mentor relationships and undergraduate research among its top strategic priorities. 

About

Research ignites minds, creativity shapes futures – limitless possibilities emerge.

The CURC empowers students to explore, innovate, and thrive. Through research and creativity, we foster intellectual growth, drive innovation, and shape tomorrow’s leaders.

WHAT is research?

Research describes any opportunity for active learning based on the systematic investigation of a subject that makes an original intellectual, academic, creative and/or artistic contribution to the discipline.  Research doesn’t always mean, working in a lab.  Research and/or creative opportunities can be found in any discipline.

  • Research SymposiumThe 9th CURC Undergraduate and Graduate Research Symposium will be held Monday through Wednesday, March 26 - 28, 2024 at the Thomas Cole Research Center for Science and Technology.
  • External Links
  • Presentations
  • CAU QEP
  • Symposium Resources
Benefits
Research Symposium
MUSE
Why Research?

Get Started with CURC

Unleash Your Potential: Explore Boundless Horizons with The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Elevate your academic journey through hands-on projects, innovative collaborations, and transformative experiences. Ignite curiosity, spark innovation, and shape your future with us. Join the community of scholars and creators today, and dive into a world where your ideas take flight.

HOW do I begin with The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity (CURC)?

  • Sign up and/or browse opportunities at studentopportunitycenter.com
  • Reach out to current or past professors
  • Identify research that fits your interests
  • Spread the word to your classmates and friends

Research Symposium

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity provides Clark Atlanta University undergraduate and graduate students with an opportunity to showcase their scholarship and creative activity.

Held each spring, The CURC Undergraduate and Graduate Symposium brings together an intellectual community of undergraduate and graduate students to share their work with faculty, staff, peers, and external audiences. Participants will gain experience in presenting their research, answer questions, and receive constructive feedback from judges.

The 9th CURC Undergraduate and Graduate Research Symposium will be held Monday through Wednesday, March 26 – 28, 2024 at the Thomas Cole Research Center for Science and Technology. Early student registration is due by December 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Regular student registration is due by January 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Clark Atlanta University values undergraduate research. Research and Internships produce students who are better equipped to enter the workforce and produce meaningful results.  Research has demonstrated that students who engage in research in their undergraduate curriculum have increased knowledge of the natural world, intellectual and practical skills, as well as personal and social responsibility (Kuh, 2008; Zhao & Kuh, 2004). In addition, research skills have been shown to lead to intellectual growth, academic achievement and professional growth (Lopatto, 2009). During our annual undergraduate research symposium, students from all disciplines and all majors have an opportunity to showcase their research endeavors.

Mentored Undergraduate Scholarly Endeavors

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) has selected “Mentored Undergraduate Scholarly Endeavors” (MUSE) as the topic of its Quality Enhancement Plan. Supported by its vision to increasingly become a dynamic 21st century research university, one of the hallmarks of the CAU community is to promote innovation and collaboration in order to unite and make significant contributions to the knowledge of humankind. Scholarly Endeavors, which encompass both creative and research activities, is defined by the University, “as a systematic or focused inquiry, investigation, experimentation, or exploration – predicated upon intense use of mind – that makes an original, revised, expanded, or interpretive contribution to one or more disciplines in pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and the public good.”

The MUSE vision is to emphasize scholarly inquiry throughout the curriculum to improve undergraduate student learning and enhance and showcase students’ creative works/ performances and research initiatives. The program is designed to employ the high impact practice of student-faculty engagement through curriculum infused pedagogy of creativity, research and discovery across undergraduate academic programs. The University, through this program, aims to fundamentally change the culture of teaching and learning by adapting more relevant, real-world inspired, creative and research-rich educational experiences for students at CAU.

Why Research

At Clark Atlanta University, we prioritize the significance of undergraduate research. Our commitment to Research and Internships cultivates students into workforce-ready individuals, generating impactful outcomes. Studies affirm that students engaged in undergraduate research attain heightened comprehension of the world, intellect, practical expertise, and social accountability (Kuh, 2008; Zhao & Kuh, 2004).

Moreover, research proficiency propels intellectual, academic, and professional advancement (Lopatto, 2009). Our yearly undergraduate research symposium provides a platform for students across disciplines to exhibit their research pursuits effectively.

Why CURC?

Research and creative activity can be conducted from almost anywhere and can take on many forms.  Research and/or creative activity could be tackling a problem from your own curiosity, from a professor’s challenge, or from recognizing needs of the world around you.  The topics are endless!  Students can present work at national conferences and/or have work published in a scholarly journal.  All it takes is your commitment, curiosity, and creativity.  

Research and Internships produce students who are better equipped to enter the workforce and produce meaningful results.  Research has demonstrated that students who engage in research in their undergraduate curriculum have increased knowledge of the natural world, intellectual and practical skills, as well as personal and social responsibility (Kuh, 2008; Zhao & Kuh, 2004). In addition, research skills have been shown to lead to intellectual growth, academic achievement and professional growth (Lopatto, 2009). 

CURC (The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity) is located in Suite 3037 in the Thomas W. Cole Research Center for Science and Technology.