UK Office of Undergraduate Research marks 25 years of student discovery, impact

The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is celebrating 25 years of undergraduate research, scholarship and creative endeavors.

Since its founding in 1999, OUR has provided a central hub for undergraduate students seeking hands-on research experiences by connecting them with faculty mentors, resources and opportunities that help transform questions into meaningful work.

Over the past quarter century, OUR has expanded to reach students across campus, supporting inquiry in fields ranging from the arts and humanities to STEM and health sciences.

“For 25 years, that home — the Office of Undergraduate Research — has been shaped and inspired by students, staff, faculty and community members united by one powerful question: What is wildly possible?” said Chad Risko, Ph.D., faculty director of OUR.

That guiding question has led to a wide range of student achievements. Undergraduate researchers have contributed to faculty-led projects, presented at conferences and showcases and developed work that extends beyond the classroom.

An example of the impact is the annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, where students present their faculty-mentored research through posters, oral presentations, performances and exhibits. The event brings together students, faculty, staff and the broader community to celebrate undergraduate research and provides a professional platform for students to share their work and build presentation experience.

“Undergraduate researchers who started by asking hard questions have gone on to become doctors, inventors, musicians, designers, CEOs and public servants,” Risko said. “For these alumni, research became more than the pursuit of knowledge — it became an opportunity to discover new passions and follow them into unexpected places.”

A hallmark of OUR’s work is helping students take their first steps into research often early in their academic careers, and providing continued support through funding, mentorship and professional development.

“The Office of Undergraduate Research is proud to have been a part of these journeys,” Risko said. “Proud to have helped spark curiosity, encourage deeper questions and provide the opportunities and resources for students to take their first steps toward futures built on discovery.”

Learn more at our.uky.edu.