Mission
The Office of Undergraduate Research advocates for inclusive and meaningful research experiences, promotes student engagement in research, and provides centralized support for undergraduate research at the University of Washington.
Vision
We envision a future where undergraduate research exists as an accessible and empowering opportunity for all students. As such, our office strives to foster a supportive and inclusive research culture in which undergraduate students from all identities, lived experiences, and disciplines feel empowered to engage in meaningful research experiences. We see ourselves having a role as changemakers and leaders, driving innovation and progress in undergraduate research by inspiring students, supporting faculty, and shaping the future of academic inquiry at the University of Washington.
Values
Student-Centered
We value students’ lived experiences and unique strengths, offering empathy, critical listening, and holistic support for students. We work to deeply understand the barriers and challenges students face in accessing and engaging in research so that we can better support and advocate for them.
Community Focus
We prioritize community, connection, and collaboration and find strength in partnerships. We recognize the value of collective efforts and diverse teams. We emphasize creating positive, supportive work environments for our team.
Holistic Impact
We view research as more than an academic pursuit; it is an opportunity to build confidence and belonging, establish meaningful relationships, take ownership of a topic, build collaborations, and find clarity in a path after graduation.
Adaptability
We value being open, flexible, and adaptive, continuously assessing our impact and welcoming innovation and feedback to better understand our reach and improve access for all students. We normalize mistake-making as part of the learning process and welcome feedback with curiosity.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
We acknowledge that systemic and structural exclusion from research spaces has created disproportionate challenges in research advancement for students from minoritized backgrounds. As UW’s central unit for connecting undergraduates with opportunities for research, we recognize that we play a critical role in closing opportunity gaps for students historically excluded from the research enterprise. Thus, we actively work to create a research culture that centers access, equity, and inclusion.
Pillars
The pillars that are the foundation of our mission, vision, and values.
We strive to remove barriers and create pathways for all undergraduate students to engage in research by offering resources, guidance, and support to make research opportunities attainable and inclusive.
We aim to foster environments where students can immerse themselves in meaningful research projects, working closely with mentors to gain hands-on experience, develop critical thinking skills, build confidence and belonging, and contribute to their fields of study.
We champion the importance of undergraduate research within the university community and beyond, ensuring that research is recognized and valued as a critical component of the undergraduate experience.