Course-Based Research and Mentorship: Results from a Multiterm Research Academy at a Minority-Serving Institution

2025/10/20 by Marissa Brookes, Kim Yi Dionne, Jennifer L. Merolla · 1 voice
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Career Development and Diversity #Higher Education Research Studies #Mentoring and Academic Development

paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s1049096525101480

openalex publication_date 2025/10/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/21 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article describes the creation of the Minority-Serving Institution Research Academy (MSIRA), a training and apprenticeship program for undergraduate political science students supported by the National Science Foundation and launched at the University of California, Riverside, in 2023. MSIRA is a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in which students spend 10 weeks learning basic research methods through active-learning and team-based exercises. After the 10-week course, students provide 25 hours of research assistance for faculty mentors. We examine focus group and survey data from the first cohort of MSIRA fellows to describe its impact and to draw parallels and distinctions with other CUREs.

Citations

• Establishing the benefits of research experiences for undergraduates in the sciences: First findings from a three‐year study
• Cultivating minority scientists: Undergraduate research increases self-efficacy and career ambitions for underrepresented students in STEM
• Creating New Knowledge with Undergraduate Students: Institutional Incentives and Faculty Agency
• The PhD Pipeline Initiative Works: Evidence from a Randomized Intervention to Help Underrepresented Students Prepare for PhDs in Political Science

Discussions

• Here's how three professors started a research academy - training undergrad students in research methods and then matching them to faculty mentors to apprentice as RAs for 10 weeks! Ft. @dadakim.bsk [bsky, 11 points, 1 comments]

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