Remote Student Research Experiences

Currently, most student research experiences will take place remotely. As faculty mentors and student researchers work to adapt existing research plans or develop new ones, our research community will need support in preparing, accessing, and making the most of your remote research experiences.

Here you will find a variety of resources related to remote research, including guidance for mentors and students on establishing effective plans, staying in close communication, and taking advantage of the range of resources available through the University Libraries. We have also provided information on best practices and research ethics, managing funding, and specific research training. You will also find general resources about health and wellness, support for students with disabilities, and guidance for international students.

We defer to the University Research Administration’s broad position about research resumption on its Research Continuity Planning site and encourage all faculty and student participants in remote research to review its up-to-date information. Our companion site, Learning Remotely, also provides complementary support for student learning.

• The “Research Tools” page provides you with basic information about using technology effectively for connecting with your research mentor(s), student researcher(s), and other collaborators and support professionals, including librarians.
• The “Strategies for Effective Remote Research” page provides guidance on developing effective research plans and best practices, as well as information related to data security and management, research ethics, and information about specialized research training.
• The “For Mentors” page offers advice, best practices, and important information about integrating students into your remote research experience and/or supporting their independent research activities.
• The “For Students” section contains useful information about time-management, effective communication strategies, and other best practices for ensuring a successful remote research experience, including collaborating with your research mentors remotely.
• The “Resources” page includes links to valuable resources provided by the University Library, Special Collections, and other University museums and collections to support your research. This page also houses a growing list of external domestic and international resources relevant to scholarly research.

Scholarly research is at the core of the University’s mission and ensuring our students remain active contributors in these activities, even if remotely, is among our highest priorities. Although remote research may present unique challenges, it also offers new opportunities to consider how we collaborate as an academic community committed to the knowledge-making enterprise. We look forward to supporting your remote research experiences and encourage you to take full advantage of the rich resources available to you through your academic units, the University of Chicago Library, the College Center for Research and Fellowships, the Chicago Center for Teaching, UChicago Grad, and University Research Administration. Along with the University Leadership, we are here to offer continued support for student research endeavors and collaborations with faculty that promote increased engagement in their fields and growth as students and scholars.

For information about the University of Chicago’s position on research during COVID-19, including the re-opening of research facilities on campus, please consult Research Continuity Planning. For general information on the University’s COVID-19 response, visit coronavirusupdates.uchicago.edu.

For undergraduates: the College Center for Research and Fellowships (CCRF) helps undergraduates in the College navigate the broad array of institutional, domestic, and international scholarly research opportunities that are available to them. The CCRF encourages students to make scholarly research and creative inquiry a fundamental part of their academic experience at the University of Chicago, if it makes sense academically and vocationally. More information about summer research programs and both summer and academic-year grant programs are available on the CCRF website.

For graduates: UChicagoGRAD is a one-stop shop of integrated services to help graduate students navigate their academic and professional careers. UChicagoGRAD provides resources that complement graduate students’ academic training and help them progress as researchers, scholars, and professionals. Graduate students can register for online programs and virtual advising to get assistance with fellowships, career planning, work/life balance, and more.