Celebrating undergraduate research in Arts

Conducting research as an undergraduate student has so many benefits far beyond the research itself. Students develop transferable skills, meet new people and develop new connections that will carry them into their careers post-graduation. Research not only enriches a student’s time at university, but also the contributions made by student researchers could also impact an entire area of knowledge or community. Research provides an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding on a topic they are passionate about and it can also deepen their learning about themselves. 

The Faculty of Arts gathered for the third year in a row to honour the contributions of undergraduate students who conducted research through Undergraduate Research Awards (URA) and Psychology Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) awards in 2025. Twenty-five Arts students received one-on-one mentoring from a professor while working on diverse and fascinating research projects during the summer. The topics ranged from how to supporting older adults’ with mental health issues to substance use resource navigation and even looking at labour coercion in colonial Kenya. Students and supervisors gathered in St. John’s College to celebrate their collaboration.

During the event, Scott Saindon, a 2024 URA recipient, shared his thoughts on how research can improve society, the benefits of constructive disagreements and his experience winning second-place in the poster format category at the 2024 UM Undergraduate Research Showcase (Humanities and Social Sciences category). “Conducting research as an undergraduate student is very beneficial,” said Saindon. “Everything you’re learning in class was originally a research project, so you get a better understanding of the genealogy of ideas that you’re learning and the ethics and practices involved in producing knowledge.”

It was heartwarming to see students and professors from across the Faculty sitting together, enjoying delicious food, discussing their research experiences, sharing a laugh and even planning future projects together. Dean Marx encouraged students to continue building on this experience and to apply to share their research at the annual UM Undergraduate Research Showcase as well as look for opportunities to present at conferences, which are “a great opportunity to not only practice presenting, but also to connect with others with whom you share a common passion.”