Role of Research Educator in sequential course-based undergraduate research experience program

Abstract

In our First-Year Research Immersion (FRI) program, students take a sequence of three CUREs (course-based undergraduate research experiences). Each Research Educator (Research Assistant Professor, aka RE) oversees the day-to-day work of about 30 first-year and 25 second-year students in a dedicated research-training lab. Instead of the typical work-load division for faculty between their teaching responsibilities (typically lecture) and research programs, REs combine these two responsibilities into one endeavour that better engages and teaches beginning students intending to major in science or engineering. Although more challenging for REs, their work in FRI expands their professional development substantially. Examples from the microbiology research track (specifically, Microbial Biofilms in Human Health) illustrate both the challenges and rewards for the REs.

Keywords: Research Educator; academic career path; authentic research; course-based research experience; professional development.