Skip to main content
NC State Home
Division of Academic and Student Affairs
Office of Undergraduate Research
A large group of students in a lecture hall are seated, actively listening, and some are taking notes. Out of shot, a guest speaker is talking.

Workshops

These workshops are open to all students, regardless of major, research interest, or prior/current research experience.

Summer 2026

We invite you to develop your skills further, and round out your educational and research experience at NC State by joining us and our colleagues at the following workshops.

Many of these workshops are located in one of the East Learning Labs (map), or the South Learning Lab (map) in D.H. Hill Jr. Library (not far from the Office of Undergraduate Research).

“I learned that it is important to tie in a larger impact of why we should care about a topic. I learned to better draft an elevator pitch.”

“This will help me in presenting in an appealing way of what I do in my research without losing the purpose of what I am trying to communicate.”

Kenia Barajas-Salazar

Environmental Sciences & Zoology

Professional Development-Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research

Register for the OUR-Hosted Professional Development Workshops.

For students currently funded by the OUR, you must attend the entire workshop to receive credit towards your professional development requirement.

  • Starting Off on the Right Foot in Research: May 26, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Williams Hall Room 2215
    • Learn how to set yourself up for success in an undergraduate research experience. The Office of Undergraduate Research will cover discussing expectations with your mentor, communication skills, time and data management best practices, and cover some of the common pitfalls of young researchers.
  • How to Write a Research Paper: June 2, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Williams Hall Room 2215
    • Join the Office of Undergraduate Research for a workshop that will cover the different sections of research papers and give guidance on how to start drafting your own manuscript. Additional resources for undergraduate writers and future publishers will be shared.
  • How to Create a Research Poster: June 9, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Williams Hall Room 2215
    • The Office of Undergraduate Research will offer a workshop to teach participants how to craft a research poster and will provide research presentation resources. The workshop will also cover drafting abstracts as part of the submission process for presenting your research. Participants will be guided through the application process for the Summer Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium.
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (part 1): June 16, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Williams Hall Room 2215
    • The Office of Undergraduate Research will offer opportunities for undergraduates to complete their Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training. Participants will be guided through discussions on the key topics of conducting research in an ethical and responsible manner. You must attend parts 1 and 2 of the training to earn RCR training credit.
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (part 2): June 23, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Williams Hall Room 2215
    • This workshop is a continuation of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Part 1. The Office of Undergraduate Research is sharing an opportunity specifically designed for undergraduates to complete their RCR training. Participants will be guided through discussions of more key topics of conducting research in an ethical and responsible manner. Both parts 1 and 2 must be attended in order to earn RCR training credit.
  • Best Practices in Leadership: June 30, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Williams Hall Room 2215
    • Join the Office of Undergraduate Research for a discussion of data-driven guidance for becoming effective leaders in research and beyond.
  • Applying for Scholarships and Fellowships: July 7, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Williams Hall Room 2215
    • Learn how to find, plan for and apply to scholarships and fellowships that can support your continued research and education.
  • Applying to Graduate School: July 14, 2026, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Williams Hall Room 2215
    • How do you get started with graduate school? This workshop will cover the basics of how to explore and network with different graduate programs, and how to craft a compelling application. Learn how to narrow down countless choices and how to put your best foot forward with funding and applying to graduate school.
  • SCADS Graduate Panel – The Laboratory of Analytic Sciences: Week of July 13 (date, time, and location to be determined)
    • Undergraduate students in all fields who are thinking about going to graduate school are invited to a panel discussion with STEM and STEM-adjacent graduate students from various universities who are conducting research at NC State this summer. Panelists will share their varied experiences related to applying for and attending grad school and the steps to take after graduate school. Co-hosted with the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences.  

Professional Development-Hosted by Campus Partners

Don’t see one you think belongs here? Let us know (undergraduate-research@ncsu.edu)!

For students currently funded by the OUR, below are some possible options to fulfill your program requirement beyond OUR-hosted workshops, you are also encouraged to explore other options. You will need to attend pre-approved, in-person events, and photo-document your attendance to receive credit. Email Mr. Simpson at cksimpso@ncsu.edu for approval (be sure to include the link to the event).

To find other potential professional development activities, check out the University Events Calendar and utilize the different filters in your search.

How to Get Started in Research

These weekly zoom workshops cover a range of the commonly asked questions regarding how to find undergraduate research opportunities and how to get started. There will be time for Q&A at the end.

For students currently funded by the OUR, these workshops do not count toward your professional development activity requirement.

Dates and times to be announced later this summer!

Creating Research Presentations (Poster and Oral Presentations)

The OUR is here to help you prepare your research oral and poster presentations! Join us as you are getting ready to present at one of the many opportunities on- and off-campus for students to showcase their hard work. We’re also happy to help you one-on-one, and can point you towards additional opportunities to present.

For students currently funded by the OUR, these workshops do not count toward your professional development activity requirement.

Registration for Research Presentation Support Workshops is open! You can register for these workshops via the Summer 2026 Poster Presentation Workshops form.

Poster Presentation Workshops

  • July 13, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m., location to be determined
  • July 21, 2026: 3:00-4:00 p.m. (Zoom)
  • July 25, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m., location to be determined

Oral Presentation Workshops

  • Oral Presentation Workshops will be offered again starting in the Fall 2026 semester.

How to Write an Abstract Sessions

The OUR is here to help you prepare your abstracts in preparation for your research oral and poster presentations! Join us as you are getting ready to present at one of the many opportunities on- and off-campus for students to showcase their hard work. We’re also happy to help you one-on-one, and can point you towards additional opportunities to present.

For students currently funded by the OUR, these workshops do not count toward your professional development activity requirement.

Registration for How to Write an Abstract Sessions is open! Register for an abstract session via the Summer 2026 Research Abstract workshops form.

  • June 17, 2026: 2:00-3:00 p.m., location to be determined
  • June 23, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Project Supply Grant Help Sessions

These sessions provide key information on applying for Project Supply Grant funding. Applicants must attend one full help session prior to submitted their first applications. Zoom attendees must keep their camera on during the entire session and must be actively paying attention. Driving, walking, or completing other tasks while attending a virtual help session will not count for completing this requirement. Once this requirement is met, applicants may continue to submit applications in the future without attending additional help sessions.

Room locations are still being finalized, but all in-person help sessions will be held in D.H. Hill Jr. Library. Once you register, you will receive a calendar invitation with the specific room location or Zoom link. 

For students currently funded by the OUR, these workshops do not count toward your professional development activity requirement.

Register for Project Supply Grant Help Sessions via the registration form.

  • May 22, 2026: 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Zoom)
  • May 29, 2026: 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Zoom)
  • June 4, 2026: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., location to be determined
  • June 10, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m., location to be determined
  • June 10, 2026: 6:00-7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
  • June 16, 2026: 3:00-4:00 p.m., location to be determined
  • June 22, 2026: 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Zoom)

Recurring Topics

Applications: Scholarships, Graduate School, Jobs, etc.

Application Processes, Crafting Personal Statements, Discussing Research on Resumes, Campus Resources for Applicants, Introductions to Graduate School and Industry Positions

Best Practices in Management and Teamwork

Management and Leadership Skills, Working as Part of a Team, Supporting High Performance

Communication Skills

Oral and Poster Presentations, Engaging Different Communities, Translating Your Jargon, Storytelling, Data Visualization

Data Analysis and Computing Tools

Using R, Working with ArcGIS, Data Management in Google Sheets, AI Tools, Data Visualization

Essential Skills and Knowledge for Researchers

Participating in Conferences, Networking, Dealing with Failure and Imposter Syndrome, Library Resources, Publishing, Ethics, Approaching Faculty and Other Mentors

Research Basics and Getting Started

Approaching Faculty and Other Mentors, What is Reseach, Types of Research, Getting Started

Research Options for Students

Types of Research, Summer Opportunities, Research Abroad, Self-Guided Research

Please email any questions you have to the office at undergraduate-research@ncsu.edu. If any of the following are true, we are especially excited to hear from you:

  • You have a suggestion for an OUR workshop topic.
  • You would like to present a research-related workshop for the OUR (or have yours listed on our site).
  • You would like the OUR to deliver a workshop for your class or group (or collaborate on developing one).

NC State is committed to providing an inclusive environment and, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event. Please direct accommodation requests to 919-513-0095.