Fostering Undergraduate Research: A Practice-Based Approach

This Compendium originated in the Undergraduate Practice-Based Research Community of Practice (CoP), established as an outcome of the TU Dublin Faculty of Arts and Humanities Teaching and Learning symposium highlighting the importance of practice-based learning, including research at the undergraduate level. The CoP has members in various Arts and Humanities disciplines from all TU Dublin campuses.

The CoP seeks to support and foster this authentic learning engagement through practice-based research, allowing students to pursue open-ended topics that encourage creativity while working closely with experienced mentors.

Undergraduate research contributes to improved student outcomes with increased academic engagement, improved retention rates, and a higher likelihood of progression into postgraduate studies.

This Compendium presents thirteen cross-disciplinary case studies, which seek to contribute to this debate and demonstrate a better understanding of the faculty’s undergraduate research experience.

The Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives student-led exhibition highlights an interdisciplinary project led by Dr Con Kennedy and details how student research returns underrepresented female scientists to the public eye.

The compendium is available via open access and can be viewed here: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/practicebasedcom/1/