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Council on Undergraduate Research Partnerships in the Geosciences
  • Elizabeth Ambos
Elizabeth Ambos
Council on Undergraduate Research

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) is engaged in several formal and informal partnerships within the Geosciences community, and is vital for all faculty, staff, and students involved with undergraduate research. CUR is structured into thirteen (13) separate divisions, of which one of the most active is the Geosciences Division, affectionately known as GeoCUR. CUR has a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Geophysical Union (AGU) to foster collaboration and mutual benefit. CUR is also an Associated Society of the Geological Society of America (GSA), and a Member Society of the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). Within CUR, the GeoCUR regularly sponsors technical sessions, awards, poster sessions, and/or workshops at the AGU and GSA annual meetings, and an exhibit booth at the GSA Annual Meeting to raise awareness of CUR and the benefits of undergraduate research (UR). For the first time ever, GeoCUR will have an exhibit booth at the AGU meeting in 2018, and will be actively recruiting and engaging AGU meeting attendees. CUR advocacy is expanded when CUR staff and members participate in GSA Associated Societies and AGI Member Societies meetings. CUR is the voice for the UR community, and has worked with both AGU and other scientific societies to advise and educate legislators and federal agency representatives of the importance of UR, and also the continued support of geoscience research priorities, such as climate change research. One of the CUR’s most effective advocacy avenues is its annual Posters on the Hill event, now entering its 23rd year. EvaluateUR is an important outgrowth of CUR partnerships, and illustrates CUR’s important role in UR assessment. EvaluateUR is an evidence-based model for improving UR student outcomes, funded by NSF WIDER, and partnering SUNY Buffalo State, NAGT/SERC and CUR. EvaluateUR started at SUNY Buffalo State, has expanded to a diverse array of institutions, and is actively seeking new potential partners.