We are pleased to host multiple events and workshops throughout the year to help students identify research opportunities and make the most of their experiences at Duke. Please save the date for these upcoming events and workshops!
Leverage Your Research Experience (LYRE)
In collaboration with the Directors of Academic Engagement, the Undergraduate Research Support Office is pleased to host the Leverage Your Research Experience Program, also known as LYRE!
LYRE is a series of workshops offered to all undergraduate students conducting or interested in embarking on a research path at Duke. It is designed to help you process what you’re learning, develop your skills as a researcher, and prepare for more opportunities. Feel free to attend those that seem the most beneficial to you (You can pick and choose).
Note: These workshops are held in person and will not be on Zoom.
Upcoming Workshops
Please sign up for the workshop(s) that interest you. It is not mandatory to sign up in order to attend, but it does help us get a headcount for planning. These workshops are geared towards undergraduates interested in research, but everybody is welcome!
January 2025 Workshops
Applying to SURF, DSRF, and other Summer Programs
- Led by Dr. Michael Domeracki, Director of Academic Engagement in the Social Sciences
- January 15, 2025 | 5-6 pm | Bostock Library 127 — The Edge Workshop Room
Participating in a summer research program is a great way to gain skills, prepare for opportunities, and expand your network! This session is here to help you navigate your application for the URS Office’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, the Deans’ Summer Research Fellowship, and other summer programs.
Info Session on Arts and Humanities Summer Programs
- Led by Dr. Cara Kozma, Director of Academic Engagement in the Arts & Humanities
- January 21, 2025 | 5-6 pm | Bostock Library 127 — The Edge Workshop Room
Curious about how to find arts and humanities opportunities to make the most of your summer? Join us on Tuesday, January 21, at 5 p.m. to explore exciting opportunities like internships, research opportunities, and creative projects. Learn how to find funding, craft standout applications, and plan a summer that aligns with your passions and career goals.
Evidence Synthesis 101
- Led by Prof. Meredith Parker-Terry, Librarian for Psychology and Neuroscience & STEM Engagement
- January 27, 2025 | 5-6 pm | Bostock Library 127 — The Edge Workshop Room
The word “review” can mean so many things, from the literature review at the beginning of a research paper to a highly structured, multi-year systematic review. Where do I start in conducting a literature review, and as an undergraduate, how do I know which review is best for my project? This interactive workshop will highlight best practices for conducting literature reviews and will help you choose which review is right for your class project or thesis.
Preparing for Grad School Interviews
- Led by Dr. Michael Domeracki, Director of Academic Engagement in the Social Sciences
- January 30, 2025 | 5-6 pm | Bostock Library 127 — The Edge Workshop Room
Applying for graduate school and want to prepare for campus interviews? This session will demystify the process, so you understand what to expect so and make the most of your campus visits. Regardless of discipline, we are to help you navigate these experiences.
February 2025 Workshops
Finding Primary Sources for the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Led by Prof. Arianne Hartsell-Gundy, Head of the Humanities and Social Sciences & Librarian for Literature, Dr. Heidi Madden, Head of the International and Area Studies & Librarian for Western European and Medieval Renaissance Studies, and Dr. Erik Zitser, Librarian for Slavic, Eurasian, and Eastern European Studies.
- February 5, 2025 | 5-6 pm | Bostock Library 127 — The Edge Workshop Room
This workshop will focus on effectively finding and using both digital and physical primary sources for your humanities and social sciences research projects. We will focus on how to integrate primary resources into your research in order to effectively support your arguments. We will provide practical tips such as how to find sources in English, foreign languages, or in translation, how to prepare to visit an archive or rare books library, how to save and organize what you find, and how to cite primary sources.
Crafting Personal Statements Post-SCOTUS Ruling
- Led by Dr. Cara Kozma, Director of Academic Engagement in the Arts & Humanities
- February 10, 2025 | 5-6 pm | Bostock Library 127 — The Edge Workshop Room
Writing a compelling personal statement just got a little trickier. On Monday, February 10, at 5 p.m., join us for a practical session on how to adapt your personal statements to recent changes in the legal and admissions landscape. Learn how to tell your story in a way that’s impactful, authentic, and tailored to the opportunities you’re pursuing.
March 2025 Workshops
Cold Emailing for Networking and Research Opportunities
- Led by Dr. Cara Kozma, Director of Academic Engagement in the Arts & Humanities
- March 3, 2025 | 5-6 pm | Bostock Library 127 — The Edge Workshop Room
Want to make a great first impression? On Monday, March 3, at 5 p.m., join us to learn the secrets of writing effective cold emails that open doors. Whether you’re reaching out to professors, networking with professionals, or searching for research opportunities, this session will give you the tools and confidence to craft emails that can get results.
Cultivating a Scholarly Identity Online
- Led by Prof. Arianne Hartsell-Gundy, Head of the Humanities and Social Sciences & Librarian for Literature, and Prof. Haley Walton, Librarian for Education and Open Scholarship
- March 19, 2025 | 5-6 pm | Location TBA
The digital world allows us to connect in ever increasing ways. As someone about to start a career or go to graduate school, these connections can provide you with both opportunities and challenges. This workshop is designed to help you consider the best ways to navigate how you want to present yourself online. We will discuss topics such as what to share and how to share, the ethical issues involved, and how to maintain the right balance of privacy. We will also examine some steps you can take, such as creating a profile on Google Scholar, sharing work in digital repositories, creating an ORCID ID, and interacting professionally on social media.
Past workshops from fall 2024...
Guest Session: Submitting Competitive National Science Foundation Applications
- Led by Dr. Ashalla Freeman, Director of Engagement & Student Success for UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Grad School 101
- Led by Dr. Michael Domeracki, Director of Academic Engagement for the Social Sciences, and Dr. Jessica Harrell, Director of the Undergraduate Research Support Office
Academic Resource Week presents Student Perspectives: How to Get Involved in Research
- Student panel led by Dr. Jessica Harrell, Director of the Undergraduate Research Support Office
Cultivating Mentor Relationships
- Led by Dr. Michael Domeracki, Director of Academic Engagement for the Social Sciences
Writing Personal Statements
- Led by Dr. Cara Kozma, Director of Academic Engagement for the Arts & Humanities
Guest Session: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Summer Opportunities
- Led by Professor William Jenks from ORNL's Office of Research Education. Applications for Summer 2025 are open now!
Letters of Recommendation
- Led by Dr. Cara Kozma, Director of Academic Engagement for the Arts & Humanities
Research Communications
- Led by Dr. Lydia Greene, Director of Academic Engagement for the Natural & Quantitative Sciences
Writing an Abstract
- Led by Dr. Jessica Harrell, Director of the Undergraduate Research Support Office
Using Data Visualization for Effective Academic Posters
- Led by Dr. Eric Monson, Data Visualization Analyst with the Duke University Libraries’ Center for Data and Visualization Sciences.
Applying to Non-Duke Summer Programs (STEM Focused)
- Led by Dr. Jessica Harrell, Director of the Undergraduate Research Support Office
- Unable to attend this workshop? Visit our summer research program resources webpage.
Participating in a summer research program is a great way to gain skills, prepare for opportunities, and expand your network! This session is here to help you navigate your application for the URS… read more about LYRE Workshop: Applying to SURF, DSRF, and other Summer Programs »
Curious about how to find arts and humanities opportunities to make the most of your summer? Join us on Tuesday, January 21, at 5 p.m. to explore exciting opportunities like internships, research… read more about LYRE Workshop: Info Session on Arts and Humanities Summer Programs »
The word "review" can mean so many things, from the literature review at the beginning of a research paper to a highly structured, multi-year systematic review. Where do I start in conducting a… read more about LYRE Workshop: Evidence Synthesis 101 »
Applying for graduate school and want to prepare for campus interviews? This session will demystify the process, so you understand what to expect so and make the most of your campus visits.… read more about LYRE Workshop: Preparing for Grad School Interviews »
Please join us for the Triangle Undergraduate Literary Conference (TULC). This one-day conference is a space for undergraduates attending Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State… read more about Triangle Undergraduate Literary Conference »