(CUNY) Research in the Classroom

Scope: Faculty often view research and teaching as two distinct scholarly endeavors. And yet, there is compelling evidence that incorporating authentic research activities into classroom teaching benefits both students and faculty. While the apprentice model for mentored student research is still a gold standard, participation in undergraduate research can be effectively expanded using curriculum-based methods. The Research in the Classroom initiative is part of the new strategic framework for CUNY and represents one method for increasing experiential learning. The CUNY Office of Research is offering grants for innovative ideas to incorporate authentic research projects into the undergraduate curriculum. Successful projects will be implemented into new or existing courses and must incorporate a researchable aim. For the purposes of this competition, authentic research is defined as a plan for seeking answers to a research question for which the outcome is unknown. The research question should be based on the expertise of the PI, and should involve the development of new avenues of inquiry. Proposals should include a discussion of the research question and how it will be operationalized in a course-based context. Awardees will be expected to implement their new course design in the Fall or winter spring semesters of the 2018/2019 academic year. Proposals should also include a section on how student outcomes will be assessed. More information on research in the classroom ideas can be found in a recent report from the National Academies Press, which can be downloaded without cost here: http://bit.ly/2xstlvG.