The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) provides centralized support for faculty to develop and implement research-rich curricula and to offer mentored opportunities in undergraduate research, design, and creative work. The office works in collaboration with departments to increase undergraduate research support, enable more transparent and equitable distribution of resources, and contribute to Rice’s goal of fostering an inclusive undergraduate academic culture.
We support faculty through funding and pedagogical support for undergraduate research in the classroom, venues and funding for students to share their work, and awards to recognize faculty who embody the commitment to inquiry teaching and research mentoring. We also help faculty connect with interested undergraduate researchers through opportunity listings and research fairs.
Our student resources include listings of opportunities and mentors, workshops to support the process of securing research opportunities, programs for early researchers, and training for those interested in research as a career path. We also celebrate the work of our students in the annual Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium and recognize those who receive Distinction in Research and Creative Work.
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry at Rice University stands in solidarity with the BIPOC community, calling for change to our inherently prejudicial and discriminatory criminal justice system. We are outraged by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other members of the BIPOC community. As an office that focuses on supporting undergraduate research and inquiry-based teaching, we are committed to creating opportunities, advancing policies, and providing resources that disrupt systemic and institutionalized racism in the academy. We are developing anti-racism curricular resources for undergraduate research programs, and we support programs designed to raise the voices of BIPOC scholars and promote scholarship that advances equity and justice.
For more information, explore our faculty resources, student resources, or contact our staff.