Developing International Researchers: The Role of Undergraduate Research in 

Education AbroadJen Nielsen, The University of Queensland (UQ)

A/Prof Ian Tibbetts, (UQ)Prof Tom Arnold (Dickinson College)

A/Prof Ian Hewson (Cornell University)Dr Dana Burfeind (UQ)

Overview of undergraduate research in study abroad

Well‐designed undergraduate research programs provide students opportunities to…• gain valuable team building and problem‐based learning  skills

• have their abilities closely appraised by faculty who are leaders in their research field (LORs)

• develop links with faculty and industry 

• understand the challenges faced by scientists

• test drive a research career

Sorry, but they’re scientists!

• This session offers o case studies for successful undergraduate research models abroad, 

o Discussion on how best to support/generate study abroad programs that include research

Key Benefits of Undergraduate Study Abroad Research

• Exposure to field research in exciting locations

• Deeper understanding of the local context

• Team building skills• Seminar preparation and feedback 

• Demystifying doing science for a living 

• Publication skills

Institutional benefits

• Building a pipeline of future research students

• Faculty/staff development and retention

• Support for faculty members to carry out their research – both domestically and abroad

Case study: UQ Undergraduate Research Programs 

• UQ Winter Research Program  (June‐July)• UQ Undergraduate Research Conferencehttp://www.uq.edu.au/undergraduate/undergraduate‐research‐programs

UQ Summer Research Program (Nov‐Feb)• Match students with research interests/labs on campus 

• Duration of 6‐10 weeks• Students are paid $300/week• Open to international students

Funding Sources for UG Research• National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates

– http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm

• Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars Program (administered by IIE)– Sends biomedical engineers outside the US or Canada for academic or scientific research– http://www.whitaker.org/grants/fellows‐scholars

• NASA Student Programs – Undergraduate Opportunities– http://science.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/student‐programs/

• National Institutes of Health – Office of Intramural Training & Education– Undergraduate Scholarship Program: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/ugsp– Summer internship in biomedical research: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip– Summer programs: https://www.training.nih.gov/summer_programs_outside_the_nih

• USDA Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement and Experimental Program for Stimulating Competitive Research program 

– http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/afri/afri_fase_epscor_program.html/

• Smithsonian Institution Office of Fellowships and Internships– http://www.si.edu/ofg/ofgintro.htm 

Additional Funding Resources

• Dartmouth ‐ External Funding Sources For Undergraduates and Graduates – http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ugar/undergrad/other_external.html

• Amgen Scholars– http://amgenscholars.com/ 

• ThinkSwiss research scholarships– http://www.thinkswiss.org/academic‐opportunities/research‐scholarship

• NanoJapan International Research Experience for Undergraduates– http://nanojapan.rice.edu/

• Study Abroad Funding (administered by IIE)– http://www.studyabroadfunding.org

Study Abroad+Exchange (Ian)

• MARS2005 Australia’s Marine Environments– Since 2000 (120 – 180 students each semester)– Lecture series at UQ– Field trips to Moreton Bay and the Reef– Led by research‐active faculty– With a combination of field discovery and small group research

– Open admission (science, arts, business, engineering SA&EX students)

– Lectures @ UQ

Partner Study Abroad @UQ

• Stanford University BOSP (11 week)• Hobart William Smith (Geneva NY) + Union College (Schenectady NY) (10 week)

• University of California EAP (12 week)• All under Australian Visitor’s Visa• All developed through contacts between research‐active faculty!

All include problem‐based learning in a research context as ca. 50% of assessment

Global Scholars (12 mins) (Tom)

• Overview of Global Scholars Program at Dickinson

• Structure of program, outcomes, lessons learned, best practices

• Origins of the UQ Global Scholars Program

A five month course combining a thematic student-faculty research project and global education, conducted with Dickinson faculty members and collaborating faculty from one of our partner institutions. The program trains students in the process of interdisciplinary research, team-building, and effective cross-cultural communication.

Thomas Arnold, Associate Professor of BiologyIan Tibbetts, Associate Professor of BiologyBrian Brubaker, Interim Executive Director of Global EducationCarla Maranto-Arnold, Assistant Director of Global StudyNeil Weisman, Provost and Dean of the College

A Global STEM Pilot ProgramImpacts of climate change on marine ecosystems

Global ScholarsPilot ProgramDickinson College

Front Row (from left)‐ Professor Tom Arnold, Ioni Kokondis, Courtney Cara, Emily Seklecki, Esmeralda Alverez, Laura Schorfheide.  Back Row (from left)‐ Josh Margolis, Antonia Johnson, Phoebe Oldach, Katie Daley, Nicole Davidson, Casey Reilly, Amanda Karampatsos, Chris Mealey, Kaitlin Jurewicz, Professor Ian Tibbetts, Christine Talbot, Anna Ramthun, Stephanie Bernasconi.  Not Pictured: Annie Weichert

Global ScholarsPilot ProgramDickinson College

A community based research project to bring together students from our partner institution in Japan, Akita International University, with Dickinson students for a eight month project to study the delivery of health care in rural Japan and rural Pennsylvania. The highly selective program is currently accepting applications for five positions on the international research team.

2014Global Scholars Program

Short Courses (Ian)

• Escape the frozen north (January)– Cornell University (A/Prof Hewson)– Six students +1 Prof– Preparation Unit + Field Unit (Aus) + Completion Unit

– Two Ian’s! Facilitates student to faculty communication!

Issues for Students

• I need an international experience for my CV• But it’s going to cost a lot• So I’d better assess relative value (bang for buck)

• Will I make friends?• Will my professors be good?

Issues for Faculty

• I’ll miss my family• Oh, they’re coming! That’s going to cost a lot!• What about my partner’s career?• What about my own career!?• What will be the impact on my chances of tenure?

Joining the Dots

• Need to provide key learning opportunities in an international context involving research‐active faculty without harming their career while minimising the cost for students

Enhanced Short Courses– Maymester through Summer– Front end MOOC– 2‐3 week field– Back end support modules– Partner UQ faculty with international collaborator– Support guest faculty by covering airfare and in‐field costs

– Students undertake discovery while collaborators establish research program

– Students develop and execute research projects under the guidance of the collaborating faculty

Brief Q&A (5 mins) (Panel)

Roundtable discussion(25‐30 mins)

How can we help support undergraduate research before, during and after the program? 

Discussion Questions

BEFORE• How can we best engage with academics 

in developing undergraduate research study abroad programs?

• What can we do to best prepare students for their research abroad experience in the pre‐departure engagement?

• What funding sources are available to support undergraduate research?

Max Wasley, Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Science (Physics) at UQ

Discussion Questions

DURING• How can education abroad professionals 

best support both students and faculty while they are out on their research abroad experience?

• What types of communication, resources and support are necessary to ensure students have a positive and successful research experience abroad? 

• How can we work with the host/partner institution or organization to ensure students have a quality research experience?

Rebekah Zeigman, Bachelor of Marine Biology and Biochemistry, University of New Haven, USA

Discussion QuestionsAFTER• How can we work to inform students of the 

value of undergraduate research, along with the value of study abroad?

• What are some of the outcomes of undergraduate research programs, and how can we use these outcomes to promote study abroad on our campuses?

• How can we continue to engage with students on their post‐experience return to help them get the most out of their research abroad experience?

Rory Reardon, Bachelor of Science at UQ

Satellite remote sensing – ground truthing

Dunwich, North Stradbroke and Moreton Bay

MARS2005 Estimating the impacts of bait collecting

UC Baited remote underwater video research

MARS2005 Sampling seagrass flat fishes

MARS2005 Jen Batista and needle fish

Dr Kathy Townsend Green turtle release for rehab

Point Lookout – turtle, dolphin and whale studies

Night snorkel on the reef

Ghost crab