Fostering Undergraduate Research: A Practice-Based Approach

This Compendium originated in the Undergraduate Practice-Based Research Community of Practice (CoP), established as an outcome of the TU Dublin Faculty of Arts and Humanities Teaching and Learning symposium highlighting the importance of practice-based learning, including research at the undergraduate level. The CoP has members in various Arts and Humanities disciplines from all TU Dublin campuses.

The CoP seeks to support and foster this authentic learning engagement through practice-based research, allowing students to pursue open-ended topics that encourage creativity while working closely with experienced mentors.

Undergraduate research contributes to improved student outcomes with increased academic engagement, improved retention rates, and a higher likelihood of progression into postgraduate studies.

This Compendium presents thirteen cross-disciplinary case studies, which seek to contribute to this debate and demonstrate a better understanding of the faculty’s undergraduate research experience.

The Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives student-led exhibition highlights an interdisciplinary project led by Dr Con Kennedy and details how student research returns underrepresented female scientists to the public eye.

The compendium is available via open access and can be viewed here: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/practicebasedcom/1/

Colorful botanical illustrations of coral and sea fans surrounding the text 'Mailda Kullen' with a black background and a legend with colored dots and plant names at the bottom.

Matilda Cullen Knowles (Botanist), in the style of Gail Anderson, designed by Hannah Corble.

Fionula Brennan (Immunologist), in the style of Marian Bantjes, designed by Qinfei Sun.

Fionula Brennan (Immunologist), in the style of Marian Bantjes, designed by Qinfei Sun.

Barbara Yates (Mathematician), in the style of Camille Walala, designed by Meabh Mc Cabe.

Barbara Yates (Mathematician), in the style of Camille Walala, designed by Meabh Mc Cabe.

Sheila Tinney (Mathematical Physicist), in the style of April Greiman, designed by Devika Mohan.

Sheila Tinney (Mathematical Physicist), in the style of April Greiman, designed by Devika Mohan.

O’Keeffe, M.; Kovar, R.; Tully, R.; Harris, R.; Norton, S.; OBrien, E.; McGrath, D.; O’Brien, R.; McCarthy, E.; McGlynn, L.; Almott, C.; Vaughan, C.; Freimane, A.; Kennedy, C.; Urda, J.; O’Rourke, P.; Bell, C.; Kennedy, D.; McDonald, S.; and O Connor, R. (2025) Fostering Undergraduate Research A Practice-Based Approach - Compendium. 1 . Pub TU Dublin.

UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Icon representing Quality Education, part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, featuring an open book and a pen on a red background.
Icon representing Goal 5: Gender Equality, with a symbol of male and female gender signs combined with an equality sign in the center, on an orange background.
An infographic with a red background showing the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth, featuring a white upward trending bar chart with an arrow.
Icon representing sustainable development goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, with an orange background, white text, and geometric cube design.
Icon representing sustainable cities and communities, part of a global sustainability goal, with stylized white buildings on an orange background.
Pink background with white text and symbols representing SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. An upward arrow, a downward arrow, and an equal sign are centrally aligned.