The SOURCE

Fostering and supporting diverse undergraduate participation in faculty-guided scholarly research and creative inquiry.

Undergraduate student research and creative projects may be produced by students at all levels in classes, labs, recitals, as part of a distinction or thesis program or independently. Participating in undergraduate research helps you apply what you are learning in class, find a mentor, improve your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and pursue a topic that fascinates you.

SOURCE Fall Expo

The campus community is invited to attend the SOURCE Fall Expo and celebrate the research and discovery of our undergraduate students! The event will feature an in-depth look at students’ research and creative work and engaging conversations about fascinating topics.

  • Friday, November 13, 2026 2:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Shaffer Galleria (Outside of SU Art Museum)
  • Schedule of Presenters

Upcoming Fall Deadlines

SOURCE Explore 2027

    • Hands-on, short term research experiences for first- and second-year students, no research experience needed. Disciplines include: sociology, sports management, nutrition, and more!
      • SOURCE Explore takes place from 2-4pm on Fridays from late January through February 2027.
    • Application due December 3rd by 11:59pm

ACC Meeting of the Minds Undergraduate Research Conference

    • Opportunity to present a research or creative project at a funded in-person undergraduate conference with students from all ACC universities, hosted by Clemson University (March 5-7, 2027). All travel, lodging, and meal expenses will be funded for student presenters.
    • Application and Mentor Recommendation due January 21st  by 11:59pm

Undergraduate Research FAQs

Undergraduate research work takes many forms but all follow a similar structure:

  • Beginning with a sense of curiosity in the exploration of a topic of interest
  • An understanding of the current landscape of a scholarly, professional or creative field of study.
  • Designing of a study or project using the methods and tools of a discpline to present evidence that responds to a question or theme.
  • All undergraduate research students are supported by a faculty mentor in their field.
  • Student research and creative projects may be produced by students at all levels in classes, labs, recitals, as part of a distinction or thesis program, or independently. 

Participating in undergraduate research allows you to:

  • Apply your knowledge to real-world problems and issues
  • Develop a strong faculty mentor relationship
  • Improve your problem-solving and creative thinking skills
  • Explore potential career areas
  • Develop skills you can use on the job market or in grad school
  • Explore a topic you find fascinating and participate in the creation of new knowledge

  • Students are guided by a faculty mentor (typically a tenured or tenure-track professor) or research staff member.
  • In humanities, communications/journalism, business/management, social sciences, arts: students work as part of a research team or one-on-one with a professor to either assist with an ongoing project or design an independent project.
  • In STEM fields: students work as part of a lab team, led by a professor (or Primary Investigator, “PI”): students assist with ongoing projects and may take leadership on part of the lab’s work.
  • Students may also work off-campus, with a community organization, another university, or do research as part of the study abroad experience.

Jot down a few notes in response to these prompts:

  • Readings or lectures from a class that sparked your interest and made you want to learn more or share with a friend
  • Problems or issues that you’d like to contribute to solving or improving
  • Gaps in your education
  • Skills that you’re interested in developing
  • Passions, hobbies, and personal interests
  • Goals or outcomes that could build your portfolio and be shared with a future employer or graduate school

Connect with others

  • Talk to your professors during their office hours about how they first discovered their research interests
  • Get inspired at a student research presentation event on campus: the SOURCE Fall Expo, Spring Showcase, or Summer Symposium, or a school/college event
  • Go to lectures and talks on campus and ask questions
  • Chat with fellow students doing research (you could start with SOURCE Student Research Mentors) about how they found their focus
  • If you have a specific post-graduate goal (career, graduate study, etc.), speak with career and academic advisors about the skills you should be building