UGA students can earn more than an A by meeting with a librarian. They can also win some cash, thanks to the Libraries’ Undergraduate Research Awards.
With a top prize of $800, the awards provide an extra incentive for students to sign up for a free online research consultation with a librarian. Students are eligible to enter the contest for their work on any research project, including a policy paper, a scientific study, a music composition, a thesis, whether it is for a class or not.
“As subject specialists, we librarians can help students find the books, articles, and information they need, whether they are in the early stages of working on a paper or looking for the final source material to wow their professor,” said Elizabeth White, a librarian specializing in political science who organizes the awards. “While the LURA prizes are the cherry on top, we are happy to help students with one-on-one consultations throughout the academic year.”
In addition to a summary of the consultation provided by the librarian, students must fill out an online application, providing a bibliography of sources and a short essay describing and reflecting on the research process. Applications are due March 15, 2021.
Winners of the LURA prizes will be announced during the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Symposium April 12, although students do not have to participate in CURO to be eligible.
To find the subject specialist for your project and schedule a virtual consultation, go to www.libs.uga.edu/researchaward/conference. For shorter research inquiries and questions, students can also use the online chat with a librarian feature at libs.uga.edu.
For questions about the Libraries’ Undergraduate Research Awards, contact White at elizabethwhite@uga.edu or visit www.libs.uga.edu/researchaward.