For an undergraduate student, true research experiences are extremely valuable and, at times, difficult to come by.

That means the Undergraduate Student Summer Research Fellowship (USSRF) program, which gives undergraduate students at Queen’s University the opportunity to further develop their research skills under the guidance of a faculty researcher, is a perfect opportunity to take the next step.

Alexandra Green (Artsci’17) took part in the program last summer and was supervised by Christian Leuprecht (Political Studies, Centre for International and Defence Policy ) for her research paper looking at border security in the Prairies. She says the program provided her crucial insight into the inner details of research such as how to create an outline for a research project, the process for submitting an article for publication and how to conduct interviews with leaders and organizations.

Previously, Ms. Green was involved in a research project with Dr. Leuprecht and Todd Hataley (Centre for International and Defence Policy) investigating border security as part of the Borders in Globalization initiative. That experience ignited her interest in security and she looked to take her studies further.

The USSRF gave her that opportunity.

“The USSRF program was a wonderful experience. Ultimately, this summer project will hopefully result in a publication. While this is definitely a worthwhile result, there were many great highlights throughout this project,” she says. “For example, Dr. Leuprecht connected me with other research assistants in different regions who were part of the larger research project. Working with these research assistants allowed me to gain insight from my peers, helped me to understand how a larger research project such as Borders in Globalization operates, and gave me experience coordinating with other researchers.”

The USSRF program was established in 2011 for continuing undergraduate students pursuing research in the fields of social science, humanities and creative arts. The program is intended to provide students with meaningful opportunities to engage in discovery-based learning and to develop research and presentation skills.

The deadline for applications is March 11, at 4 pm. Up to 19 fellowships of $6,000 each will be offered to students whose projects take place on Queen’s campus. Another five fellowships of $5,000 will be offered to students whose projects take place at the Bader International Study Centre (BISC) at Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex, England.  BISC fellowships include room and board, and return travel.

With the support Ms. Green gained the experience she felt she needed.

“I would definitely recommend this program for other students. This program helped me to create invaluable connections within my field, allowed me to ask questions about alternative career choices, and gave me a rich understanding of how larger research projects operate,” she says. “I am incredibly thankful that Queen’s University created this program and Dr. Leuprecht, my research supervisor, for this enriching experience.”

Information on the program and how to apply can be found on the USSRF webpage. For further enquiries contact Lynn Roberts, Research Facilitator, University Research Services at roberts@queensu.ca.