As an undergraduate institution focused on teaching and learning, MacEwan University is committed to high quality student learning in its programs enhanced by student engagement in research, scholarly and creative activity. Faculty mentors and student mutually benefit through engagement opportunities that enrich program outcomes, create opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge.
The Undergraduate Student Research Initiative (USRI)
The USRI is a sub-committee of Research Council that fosters expanding capacity for student research, scholarly activity and creative expression. Key elements of the student research initiative include:
- a competitive research grant fund
- annual showcase event
- a student journal (in development)
Research Services
Research Services supports the work of the USRI and provides additional information and resources for student opportunities to engage in research, scholarly activity and creative achievement.
Please email mro@macewan.ca if you have an opportunity you would like to share or post on our site.
The USRI Grant Fund
The USRI Grant Fund is an internal competitive grant fund providing support to MacEwan students to initiate, engage in projects and disseminate research outcomes and creative activity at a scholarly level. These opportunities foster a teaching and learning environment that support critical and innovative activities for students as part of a flourishing and robust scholarly culture, and serve to prepare students for future careers in academia, business and the community.
The 2012-13 call for applications is now open!
Download guidelines and form and apply by May 1, 2013 (funding July 1, 2013 to June 24, 2014)
2012-13 Award Recipients
2010-11 Award Recipients
External Funding
There are many external opportunities for students to engage in research and scholarly activity. Below is a list of some of the available student grant awards. The university additionally subscribes to Proquest Pivot funding database, available to all students on campus and off-campus by creating a personal account (see Pivot Funding Quick Start Guide). Pivot lists student grants, awards, fellowship and scholarship opportunities available globally.
For more information on other engagement opportunities such as programs, internships, exchanges, and conferences, refer to Opportunities.
Edmonton Social Planning Council Internships
For university students interested in doing a research project that involves addressing social issues in Edmonton. Students gain a better understanding of the particular social issue they focused on during this project; improve their research, writing, critical thinking, project management and communication skills; and have opportunities to expand their professional network in the public and non-for-profit sectors.
Part of Volunteer Alberta's Serving Communities Internship Program (SCIP)
Requirements: Submit application, resume and 250-500 word LOI
Award: $1,000 bursary
Submission Deadline: ASAP (internship end date July 2013)
Golden Key Scholarships & Awards
Various scholarships and grants for Golden Key members to further their knowledge through foundation-backed research or earn scholarships that target specific fields of study.
Requirements: All applications: must be written in English, adhere to submission deadlines, have a member number to apply
Award: Various
Submission Deadliness: Various
NRC Summer Employment Program
The National Research Council (NRC) of Canada Student Employment Program provides students with practical career-related experience in research and development, library sciences, communications, marketing and other areas.
Requirements: Obtained a High School diploma, possess a min B+ average, studying at a recognized institution and returning to full-time studies in the next semester.
Award: approx. 16 weeks salary (4 months), salary based on number of academic semesters a student has completed.
Submission Deadline: Apply online, continuous uptake throughout the year (application is held in a database for 9 months, searchable by hiring managers)
Young Explorers Grant (YEG) National Geographic
Opportunities for youth (18-25) to pursue research, conservation, and exploration-related projects consistent with National Geographic's existing grant programs, including: the Committee for Research and Exploration (CRE), the Expeditions Council (EC), and the Conservation Trust (CT).
Requirements: Aged 18-25; record of prior experience in the fields of research, conservation, or exploration as related to the proposed project; should attempt to include at least one local collaborator as part of the team.
Award: $2,000-$5,000
Submission Deadlines: Ongoing. Note: Must pre-apply to specific program CRE, EC, or CT
Jobs
MacEwan University Career Services hosts a Career Link job board for MacEwan students, visit https://macewan-csm.symplicity.com/students/ for various opportunities including volunteer and paid research assistant positions on campus.
"Scholars 'n' Snacks"
Interested in talking one on one with researchers at the university? or finding potential student research opportunities?
Scholars 'n' Snacks is a new student/researcher mingle held 3:30-4:00 p.m. right after Faculty Research, Scholarly Activity and Creative Achievement Showcase Series research talks. Students are invited to attend presentations and if you can't make the talk, just come to the mingle session! This is an opportunity to talk to faculty from across the university and ask questions about their research and available opportunities at MacEwan University to get involved.
Meet a researcher, find a mentor, enjoy some refreshments.
Student Conferences
Canadian Undergraduate Mathematical Conference (CUMC), CUMC 2013 Montreal
The largest conference in North America for undergraduate students in mathematics.
Conference Date and Location: July 10-14, 2013, Montreal
Submission Deadline: Registration is now open
Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference (CUPC)
Organized by the Canadian Association of Physics (CAP), physics students from across Canada meet and present oral and poster contributions on various topics, attend invited lectures, tour local research facilities, meet with representatives from graduate schools with physics programs, and meet with a CAP Executive.
Conference Date and Location: CUPC is hosted at a different university each year, usually over an extended weekend in October (4 days).
Submission Deadline: TBA
Other Opportunities
Examples of programs, internships, exchanges, resources, etc. Interested students should contact the respective programs directly.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Offer opportunities for students interested in working on research projects, international policy and trade, economic analysis, marketing, science and technology, business, business administration, accounting, finance, human resources, communications and various other areas.
DAAD RISE
A summer internship program for undergraduate students from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering.
Earth Common Journal
Earth Common is an online journal published annually through MacEwan University. Articles by undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty focus on conservation, sustainability and global warming. Submissions are accepted in a number of forms, from in-depth features, to personal reflections. All submissions are evaluated by a peer-review committee and editorial board.
Edmonton Social Planning Council, threeSOURCE
The threeSOURCE research database contains social research reports published by non-profit organizations, various levels of government, research institutes, and universities. It also contains some research reports written by university students - students doing research on local social issues or related subject areas and would like to share their work can submit their work for consideration for inclusion. About threeSOURCE, please visit https://www.threesource.ca/about.aspx
EURO Scholars
A study abroad program for advanced students to conduct research at a high caliber institution while taking language and culture class.
Fulbright Canada, Fulbright Student Program
Opportunities for Canadian graduates to study, teach, or conduct research in the U.S. in a variety of disciplines and fields including humanities, social sciences, performing and visual arts, natural sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology.
The Student Conservation Association (CSA)
Expense paid internships for conservation service in the United States (living stipend, housing, round trip travel, 18 and older, 3-12 months)
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Registry of Undergraduate Researchers
The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) hosts a Registry of Undergraduate Researchers designed to facilitate matchmaking between undergraduates who have research experience and a desire to pursue an advanced degree with graduate schools seeking high quality students who are well prepared for research.
The annual student showcase features research, scholarly activity and creative achievements of students and recent alumni. Throughout this week-long event, students from a wide range of disciplines participate in a poster presentation session, deliver oral presentations, or display their scholarly projects and creative works.
The next student research showcase is scheduled for January 27-31, 2014. Stay tuned...
2012-13 Student Research, Scholarly Activity and Creative Achievement Showcase week was January 28 through February 1, 2013. Over 50 students presented posters, delivered talks and featured creative displays, presentations represented all faculties and schools and cross-disciplinary scholarship. See the Schedule of Events for a list of presentations.
On January 29, 2013, students connected with the future at the inaugural student research showcase gala event. "Oh, The Places You'll Go". The event featured information tables from community and industry partners, and keynote speakers Dr. Jennifer Gardy, BC Centre for Disease Control Genome Research Laboratory and UBC, Dr. Ciaran O'Keeffe, Bucks New University UK (TBD) and Ceiba Association. Participating partners included:
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts
- Alberta Innovates
- BioWaste to Energy for Canada, an Integrative Initiative (BECii)
- The Business Link
- Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI)
- Edmonton Research Park
- Edmonton Social Planning Council
- National Institute of Nanotechnology (NINT)
Read "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by MacEwan University undergraduate student Landis Donahue to experience first-hand the undergraduate student research showcase week gala event.
This event is sponsored in part by
Past Showcases
Coverage of the 2011-12 showcase events can be found in:
- The Griff's September 22 and October 6, 2011 editions, and February 2, 2012 edition;
- The 2011-12 editions of MacEwan University Alumni News and Figures; and
- The Edmonton Sun Newspaper, September 23, 2011.
Students at MacEwan University are engaging in a wealth of research and scholarly activities. Here are some highlights of student-based projects or achievements that help to create our rich scholarly culture.
Prairie University Biology Symposium (PUBS)Over Reading Week (February 21-23) a group of eight MacEwan University Biological Sciences students participated in the Prairie University Biology Symposium (PUBS) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. PUBS is a symposium for students (at all stages of training - undergraduate, MSc and PhD) put on by students. Seven students gave poster presentations, while one student, Kelcey King, gave an oral presentation on research they had conducted at MacEwan. Congratulations to Daniel Yip who was awarded "Best Poster Presentation" for his poster entitled "Eugregarine Infection (Gregarina niphandodes) Reduces Mating Success in the Yellow Mealworm Beetle (Tenebrio molitor)" from amongst over 75 posters by both undergraduate and graduate students.
Student Research, Scholarly Activity and Creative Achievement Showcase Week 2013-14
Submission Form and Guidelines (will post Fall 2013)
Submission Deadline: OPEN Fall 2013
Eligibility Requirements: Currently enrolled as a student or graduated within the last academic year.
Event Dates: January 27-31, 2014
USRI Grant Fund
Application Deadline: CLOSED for 2013-14 Academic Year, next call deadline May 1, 2014 for 2014-15
Eligibility Requirements: Currently enrolled as a student.
All
Draft USRI Faculty Mentor Guidelines (to be finalized Fall 2013-14)
Research Council Adjudication Guidelines
Student Intellectual Property (IP) Agreement
USRI Travel Authorization Form (Travel in Canada) (for travel outside of Canada use International form found at www.macewan.ca/international)
MacEwan University Student eJournal
As an integral part of MacEwan's Undergraduate Research Initiative, MacEwan University Student eJournal (MUSe) publishes undergraduate essays and creative work in an online, open access venue. It acts as a research forum for undergraduate students attending or working at MacEwan University, and it offers students the opportunity to work alongside faculty while gaining experience with and knowledge about the way in which scholarly and creative publications are managed.
For more information on MUSe - including Submission Guidelines - please click on the following link: https://journals.macewan.ca/index.php/muse
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Journal, please direct them to muse@macewan.ca
Logo Competition
CLOSED - the MUSe Editorial Board is currently reviewing submissions and will be announcing the winner of the logo competition in early April. Thank you to all students who submitted entries.
