Undergraduate Research Opportunities & Creative Scholarship
At Queens, engaged learning goes beyond the classroom. From your first year, you can participate in undergraduate research, create original work, compose music, and explore new ideas through hands-on learning experiences designed to prepare you for what’s next.
What is Undergraduate Research?
Undergraduate research is the process of discovering and creating new knowledge. This can include combining ideas in innovative ways, collecting and analyzing data, or exploring topics to uncover new perspectives.
At Queens, undergraduate research opportunities might include:
- Conducting lab work in biology or chemistry
- Engaging in community-based research projects
- Designing and analyzing surveys in psychology
- Exploring data across disciplines
You don’t have to wait until graduate school — research from starts on day one.
What is Creative Scholarship?
Creative scholarship blends artistic expression with academic inquiry. Whether through music, writing, visual arts, or digital media, students create meaningful work grounded in research and critical thinking.
Creative scholarship at Queens includes:
- Studio art, ceramics, and painting
- Creative writing, poetry, and storytelling
- Videography and multimedia projects
This approach deepens both creative practice and intellectual exploration.
Undergraduate Research in Your Classes
Many courses at Queens integrate research projects and creative scholarship directly into the curriculum.
Examples include:
- Identifying viruses in introductory biology and course genetics courses
- Designing and analyzing surveys in psychology methods
- Producing original artwork in studio art classes
- Writing fiction, poetry, and critical analysis in English courses
These experiences ensure every student has access to hands-on learning.
Faculty Mentorship & Research Collaboration
Working one-on-one with faculty mentors on research or creative projects outside of the classroom, you can:
- Contribute to ongoing faculty research
- Design your own independent project
- Build professional relationships in your field
Faculty mentorship provides personalized guidance, hands-on-experience, and valuable career preparation.
Summer Research Grants & Funding Opportunities
Apply for the James Rogers Summer Institute for Research and Creative Work for an immersive summer experience.
- $3,000 grant for students
- $3,000 grant for faculty mentors
- Open to all academic disciplines
Students collaborate closely with faculty to complete original research or creative projects.
Publish Your Work in the Undergraduate Research Journal
Queens University Explorations in Science and Technology (QUEST) Journal is a student-led undergraduate research journal. Students at Queens University of Charlotte act as the editorial board, accept submissions, solicit external peer reviews, and publish the journal online.
All research follows a structured format, and students gain real-world experience in scholarly publishing.
Contact Jennifer Daniel, Ph.D. to learn more or get involved.
“My experience with QUEST was my first introduction to the peer-review process and to the rigor of communicating science effectively. This experience played a meaningful role in my graduate school applications, as it became a frequent topic of conversation during interviews. Looking back now as a full-time researcher, I recognize it as a positive and influential step in my journey.” – Dr. Sergio A. Lemus ’18
Literary Publishing & Creative Work
Signet, Queens University’s literary magazine has been continuously published since 1917. The annual publication highlights creative works in the fields of poetry, prose, and visual arts.
Interested in Signet or in the publishing and editing field in general? In the ENGL 319 Literary Publishing and Editing course students:
- Learn editing and curation
- Develop leadership and marketing skills
- Produce the annual Signet publication
Former students have gone on to editing internships, jobs within publishing, and to create their own independent magazines.
Honors Program Research Projects
Honors students complete two advanced research projects — called Honorizations — within their major.
These mentored experiences:
- Extend beyond regular coursework
- Encourage independent thinking
- Build advanced research and analytical skills
Present Your Work: Day of Scholarship and Service
Each April, Queens hosts the Day of Scholarship and Service, showcasing student research and creative work.
Presentation formats include:
- Poster displays
- Oral presentations
- Performances
- Gallery exhibitions
This campus-wide event highlights student achievement and academic excellence.
Get Involved in Undergraduate Research
Please contact Kira McEntire, Ph.D. (704-337-2257) or connect with faculty to explore current undergraduate research opportunities.
