Undergraduate Research in the Humanities
by Sara Kowalski, Class of 2017, Humanities Fellow
As a research university, Rochester prides itself on its abundant opportunities available to undergrads. However, the amazing research conducted here in the humanities is often overshadowed by the flashy research in the natural sciences. Humanities research may be less appreciated or less understood by the general public, but it is definitely no less exciting!
Humanities Research and Innovation Grant
And these are exciting days at Rochester indeed, because we recently received a 1-million-dollar grant from the Mellon Foundation for research in the humanities! Part of this grant is being used to intensify the Humanities Research and Innovation Grant (HRIG) Program, in which undergrads in the humanities design and lead their own research projects.
The HRIG program began with less than ten first years in the Class of 2020. This year, the program was able to triple its enrollment and accept around thirty first years from the class of 2021!
This incredible opportunity matches students with faculty mentors, helps them identify their interests, teaches them how to propose and design an independent research project, and then finances that project to make it a reality. Programs like this make Rochester a truly powerful place, where even underclassmen can produce cutting-edge research.
Humanities research projects
Yes, humanities research is alive here at Rochester, and it starts in the classroom. Most courses in the humanities are seminar-style and discussion-based. In addition to regular classwork, students identify an interest of theirs, do outside research, bolster it with the course content, and end the semester with a finished product representing what they’ve discovered and leaving the door open for even more research later.
Humanities research projects are often independently driven. Instead of being part of a large team or a principal-investigator-driven lab, individual students get to make decisions for themselves, work in their own style, work at their own pace, and take greater responsibility, authority, and pride in their work.
Because of this trend, many humanities students create publishable papers that they can submit to the biannual Journal of Undergraduate Research (JUR), the Writing Speaking and Argument Program’s annual Undergraduate Writing Colloquium, the annual Undergraduate Research Expo, as well as other opportunities including national conferences.
Of course, there are ample opportunities to work in groups and/or with professors on their research as well. Collaborating on these projects can be just as rewarding, and the students can learn so much from the prestigious faculty that instruct and conduct research here at Rochester.
Students can always consult the Office of Undergraduate Research for help getting started.
Quality student research can be financed with Research and Innovation Grants (RIGs), Humanities Research and Innovation Grants (HRIGs), the Research Initiative Award for Undergraduates, Discover Grants, and more!
If you go to Rochester, you go to one of the best research universities in the country. You have the chance to add your own discoveries and your own voice to the grand stage of academia. You have the chance to create knowledge. It is inspiring and amazing—so please, get involved in humanities research here at Rochester!