Discovering Research Opportunities: A Guide for Johns Hopkins Undergraduates

Research is a cornerstone of the undergraduate experience at Johns Hopkins University, offering students the chance to contribute to impactful work, gain a deeper understanding of their fields, and support their professional goals. The university provides various avenues for undergraduates to engage in research, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. This article explores the diverse research opportunities available at Johns Hopkins, with a particular focus on the Provost Undergraduate Research Award (PURA) and other programs designed to encourage and support undergraduate research endeavors.

Diving into Research Before Day One

Many students find their way into research at Hopkins even before officially starting their undergraduate studies. One way this happens is through panels that take place before the start of each semester, where 3-4 faculty members from departments like Computer Science present their work. These panels provide a great opportunity to discover the research being conducted by different professors and explore potential involvement.

Leveraging Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors play a crucial role in guiding students toward research opportunities. Assigned to each student, these professors offer mentorship and guidance throughout their time at Hopkins. Consulting with your faculty advisor about your research interests can lead to valuable recommendations and connections. For instance, an advisor might suggest approaching a specific professor whose work aligns with your interests.

Joining a Research Team

Once you've identified a potential research area, consider attending a research team meeting. This allows you to experience the collaborative culture firsthand and learn about the impactful work being done. Working with research teams can provide opportunities to collaborate with organizations like the World Health Organization and Ruvos. Furthermore, it is possible to gain academic credit for research, effectively making it a class-like experience.

Summer Research Programs

Summer research programs offer immersive experiences for undergraduates. The Bloomberg Distinguished Professor (BDP) Summer Research Program is a unique opportunity to work with world-renowned academic leaders in interdisciplinary fields. This program allows students to engage in research that spans multiple disciplines, fostering a broader understanding of complex issues.

Support from the Hopkins Office of Undergraduate Research (HOUR)

The Hopkins Office of Undergraduate Research (HOUR) provides invaluable support throughout the research application process. HOUR offers assistance with application documents, helping students improve their materials and navigate the available opportunities.

The Provost Undergraduate Research Award (PURA)

The Provost Undergraduate Research Award (PURA) is a prestigious yearly award that supports Hopkins students' research projects. Established in 1993 by Provost Joseph Cooper through a generous endowment by the Hodson Trust, PURA encourages undergraduate students to engage in independent research, scholarly, and creative projects.

Mentorship in PURA

Each PURA participant has a mentor who provides support and guidance throughout the project. Regular meetings between the student and mentor ensure that progress is monitored, problems are addressed, and next steps are planned. The mentor also guides the student in creating their presentation, whether it takes poster format or another medium, to ensure a positive and successful experience.

Mentor Qualifications and Responsibilities

PURA allows graduate students and postdocs to serve as mentors, recognizing that they often work most closely with undergraduate researchers in research groups and labs. Mentors should highlight the undergraduate's strengths and skills that will enable them to successfully complete the proposed project. They should also describe the level of independence the student will have, whether it's a unique project conceived by the student or a part of a larger project that they will be leading. The mentor's letter should also include their intent as a mentor, outlining the support they will be providing.

Anthropology Research Opportunities

Anthropology majors and minors are encouraged to explore study abroad opportunities for a year, semester, or summer. This experience can be a great asset in developing an honors thesis and preparing for future use of their anthropology training. The Department of Anthropology also provides a summer research grant competition for undergraduate students, with details announced each spring. The department also offers a small amount of undergraduate research funding for majors to support fieldwork expenses such as transportation and meals.

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Research Involving Human Subjects

When conducting research involving human subjects, students must submit an application for approval through the Homewood Institutional Review Board (IRB). This board protects the rights and welfare of individuals participating in research. In most cases, anthropological research is classified as “exempt from review,” but obtaining this classification still requires submission of materials in the semester before doing fieldwork. Students should allow at least a month prior to their departure for approval.

Overcoming Challenges in Research

Research is not always easy. The process of "creating knowledge" can be challenging and require a lot of effort.

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