The SPUR Best Article subcommittee of the Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research Editorial Board has selected the following honorees in the inaugural SPUR Best Article Awards:
Best Article: Bruce Evan Blaine (Dept. of Mathematical and Computing Sciences, St. John Fisher College), “Toward Greater Reproducibility of Undergraduate Behavioral Science Research” (SPUR, vol. 3, no. 1, fall 2019)
Honorable Mention: Franziska Nikolov, Constanze Saunders, and Heike Schaumburg (Professional School of Education, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin / Institute for German as a Foreign and Second Language and Intercultural Studies, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena), “Preservice Teachers on Their Way to Becoming Reflective Practitioners: The Relevance of Freedom of Choice in Research-Based Learning” (SPUR, vol. 3, no. 4, summer 2020)
Honorable Mention: Mitchell R. Malachowski (Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of San Diego), “Reflections on the Evolution of Undergraduate Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions Over the Past 25 Years” (SPUR, vol. 3, no. 2, winter 2019)
In making its decision, the subcommittee considered excellence with respect to the journal’s evaluation criteria, specifically “manuscripts that describe novel programs that can serve as models for other institutions, those containing significant assessment of outcomes, and those articulating research on the efficacy of undergraduate research programs.” It also weighed timeliness (addressing current issues in undergraduate research) and/or timelessness (demonstrating the potential of value over time), broad appeal in terms of generalizability to disciplines and types of institutions, and pedagogical value.
The Best Article honoree receives a $100 honorarium and a certificate. The Honorable Mention honorees receive certificates.
Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research publishes scholarly work that examines effective practices and novel approaches, explores pedagogical models, and highlights the results of assessment of undergraduate research. As a peer-reviewed publication of the Council on Undergraduate Research, the journal provides useful and inspiring information that increases understanding of undergraduate student-faculty engagement in research, scholarship, and creative work in all disciplines and at all types of higher education institutions in the United States and abroad.
Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.
CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.