Keynote Speaker

Undergraduate Research: High Impact Teaching, Research, and Learning

Connie K. Varnhagen

Professor of Psychology

Academic Director, Undergraduate Research Initiative University of Alberta

http://uri.ualberta.ca/

How can we best help our students develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to tackle the big problems facing our word? How can we help students learn critical thinking, communication, and team work? How can we help students explore their strengths and identify their roles as global citizens and leaders in society? The answers to all these questions are: We can have the greatest impact on our students through engaging them and supporting them in undergraduate research and creative works.

Connie Varnhagen is the Academic Director of the Undergraduate Research Initiative at the University of Alberta. The goals of this brand new initiative are to raise awareness of undergraduate research and creative works, support students as they learn about and engage in undergraduate research, facilitate a wide range of undergraduate research experiences, and assist in disseminating and celebrating undergraduate research and creative works. Connie is an active collaborator with and mentor of undergraduate students and is very involved in curriculum development and instructional design to support undergraduate research and creative works.