A program in the University of Oregon’s College of Education is seeking students for a yearlong program that will prepare them to understand education research and help get it into the hands of education professionals.
The HEDCO Institute Undergraduate Scholars Program is open to UO students of any major interested in working to develop skills in educational research, stakeholder engagement and the translation of research to a general audience. The program, which runs from January to December 2024, offers undergraduates the chance to gain research experience with real-world applications.
Scholars also will have the chance to learn about education-related jobs and best practices for research communication and engaging with educators, including presenting research findings.
Interested UO students can attend an in-person and virtual information session Nov. 1 by filling out an online registration form. Learn more and apply on the HEDCO Institute Undergraduate Scholars website.
Participating students will receive a $12,000 stipend to be distributed over the course of the calendar year. The program is open to all University of Oregon sophomores, juniors or seniors who will graduate on or after December 2024, and program directors encourage applications from all majors and areas of study. No research experience is required.
Applications are due Nov. 27 at 11:59 p.m. The college strongly encourages applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, first generation students, and other individuals who are underrepresented across color, creed, race, ethnic and national origin, physical ability, gender and sexual identity, or any other legally protected class.
Unique to the program is the opportunity for students to gain both technical knowledge and the skills to explain that knowledge, crucial training for careers in a range of fields.
As a family and human services major, UO junior Sam Hamilton was hoping to gain an understanding of how researchers and K-12 educators could collaborate to produce better outcomes in special education systems. When she saw that the HEDCO Institute was offering an undergrad program that focused on that research and educator relationship, she was inspired to apply.
“The Undergraduate Scholars Program has given me the opportunity to work closely with faculty to broaden my horizons on different types of research,” said Hamilton, one of three HEDCO Institute Undergraduate Scholars chosen for the 2023 class.
“The strong mentorship presence has helped me develop my skills in research synthesis, and I feel confident in my ability to create meaningful translational products, an ability important to all young professionals starting their careers,” she said. “I would recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in a career in applying research-based strategies in the K-12 educational space.”
A center within the College of Education, the HEDCO Institute for Evidence-Based Educational Practice aims to train the next generation of students in advancing the field of education by translating the findings from existing research studies into accessible, easy-to-digest products that meet the rapid decision-making needs of K-12 education leaders.