At one time, research was seen to be the remit of faculty and postgraduates, but the benefits of undergraduates doing research have increasingly been recognised by academics, institutions and students themselves. The undergraduate experience can be greatly enriched by participation in research at various levels throughout university studies.

The literature on undergraduate research over the past twenty years has demonstrated the variety and depth of the benefits for students who are involved in research and scholarship in this way.

These include:

• Skills enhancement: including critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of research methods, teamwork and collaboration skills, and the ability to analyse and synthesise information at a higher level.
• Subject knowledge: a greater understanding of their own discipline but also greater confidence and independence in learning.
• Communication skills: compiling data and selecting information to include in reports and analysis, developing writing style and academic voice, summarising and conveying research and results in abstracts and presentations during dissemination activities.
• Resilience and confidence: students are likely to encounter challenges and obstacles in the process of conducting a research project including possible failure and rejection, but this can help students to learn to see these obstacles as opportunities for learning and for creativity.
• Satisfaction and retention: research creates a level playing field for students from diverse backgrounds and has been shown to increase retention rates at both subject and university level, as well as increasing satisfaction with the university experience.
• Professionalism and Employability: students who engage in research at university are more likely to be accepted to graduate courses and are more competitive in the job market.
• Personal and professional insights: research projects help students to gain a better understanding of themselves and their future career path.

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