students and professors at Hamline

Student Research and Engaged Learning

Research and experiential learning in the classroom... and beyond


From the moment you arrive on campus, you have access to a wide range of opportunities to engage in undergraduate research and creative work that enriches your learning and enhances your career preparedness. You’ll be able to pursue your interests through class-based research, faculty mentored investigations, independent research, and creative inquiries across a variety of disciplines,from studio artwork to laboratory research, from creative writing to public health research, and beyond.

Elevate your degree and job prospects

When you participate in scholarly and creative work, you're not just adding to your resume—though employers and graduate schools will certainly take notice. You'll also cultivate a deeper understanding of your academic areas, become confident in your creativity and independence, build upon your communication skills, and develop strong mentoring relationships with professionals in your fields.

Scholars Day at the Capitol, Student Research and Collaborative Learning

Hamline Summer Collaborative Undergraduate Research (SCUR) studentsCece Chmelik '26 and Emma Marsland '25 presenting research at the Scholars at the Capitol event
Cece Chmelik ‘26, biology, and environmental studies

There are many skills that are important for STEM and biology, and at Hamline, we learn those in addition to what you cannot learn from a textbook. We learn how to effectively communicate with scientists and the general public about the science that we’re doing.

Cece Chmelik '26, biology, and environmental and climate studies; of Grand Marais, MN

Opportunities for research outside of the classroom

At Hamline, you'll not only engage in research in the classroom, but you'll also be able to pursue your area of interest in an independent project or as part of our summer collaborative research program.

Engage in summer collaborative research

Hamline's Summer Collaborative Undergraduate Research (SCUR) program allows you to work one-on-one with faculty and peers on a range of research projects or scholarship, no matter your area of study.

When you participate in summer collaborative research projects, you might:

  • Examine microbial flora for potential anti-cancer drugs
  • Develop policies on natural resource management
  • Understand women's experience in policing, and examine howto increase the numberof women officers
  • Use nanoscale materials to test methods of water quality monitoring in rural and urban communities

Explore summer research opportunities

Pursue your passion with an independent project

You can develop and pursue your own projects with faculty support through independent studies, creative and capstone projects, honors theses, or study abroad. Additionally, all Hamline students complete a paid internship, allowing you to pursue hands-on experience in your chosen field of study.

Highlights of recent projects include:

  • A faculty collaboration that studied the roots of mass shootings and designed programs to prevent school violence
  • Co-editing and publishing the BFA in creative writing’s annual award-winning undergraduate online literary magazine, Runestone
  • An examination of how movements for social change have invented communication methods that integrate journalism and performance to engage contemporary audiences
  • Traveling to field stations around the world to study the effects of climate change and the solutions that local governments have created

More about internships More about study abroad

Nancy Benedict, exercise science

Hamline provides me with the opportunity to think about things that I find interesting and then conduct research to explore them more. I love it.

Nancy Benedict ‘25, biology and public health sciences; of Round Hill, VA

Present your work locally, regionally, and nationally

From Hamline events to regional and national conferences, you'll find many opportunities to showcase your research or creative work, further building your career skills and knowledge in your field.

Present your work at national conferences

Hamline is one of the best-represented institutions at theNational Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), with acceptance rates well above the national average. This competitive annual conference — where Hamline students join thousands of others from across the globe — allows students to present their research on a national stage, in front of both students and experts. Each year, Hamline provides travel expenses for up to forty undergraduates to attend the conference.

Many departments also support students in presenting their work at scholarly conferences throughout the academic year.

Learn more about NCUR

Present your work at Hamline events

Hamline recognizes the research and creative work students do both in their courses and independently, and provides the opportunity to present research at biannual poster events in the fall and spring.

Explore Spring Showcase and Fall Symposium events

Student presenting work at the Hamline Student Research Spring Showcase and Symposium

Opportunities for student research from day one

You don't have to wait until you are in graduate school to conduct research. At Hamline, you can conduct research—in and out of the classroom—starting your first year.

Student Cece Chmelik presents research at the Scholars at the Capitol event
Hamline student Cece Chmelik presents research at the Scholars at the Capitol event
Hamline student presenting at NCUR
Hamline student presenting at NCUR
biology students out on the lake
Biology students conducting research in the field
Emma Marsland, SCUR, presents research at the Scholars at the Capitol event
Student presenting research at the Scholars at the Capitol event
Hamline students presenting at NCUR
Hamline students presenting at NCUR
A student explains their research poster at the Showcase for Student Research and Creative Inquiry
A student explains their research poster at the Showcase for Student Research and Creative Inquiry
Betsy Martinez-Vaz and Hailee Aro '24 at National Meeting of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
Student Hailee Aro '24 presenting at American Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
Professor Lifeng Dong, Physics, with Hamline's Electron Microscope
In Hamline's physics lab, students learn on an Electron Microscope and Magneto Optical Kerr Effect apparatus.
Fadhimah Mohamed ’25 presenting research at the American Physical Society Conference for Women
Fadhimah Mohamed ’25 presenting research at the American Physical Society Conference for Women
Advanced Exercise Physiology Students_Spring 2024
Students conduct blood pressure research study

Student collaborative research news

Information for faculty
Funding for Classroom Research

Take your first step today.

Come visit us in person, or talk to one of our admissions counselors and see how Hamline can help you achieve your unique career goals.

Contact information