Undergraduate Research

Wake Forest University undergraduate students use posters to present the findings of their research and scholar work at URECA Day.

Prove it.

Or prove it wrong. Either way, you need to go where your ideas lead you, and we’re here to support both you and your ideas along the way.

Boundless Research Opportunities

Undergraduate research is not only encouraged at Wake Forest; it’s backed by one of our most popular Centers, the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA) Center.

Every summer, more than 100 students conduct faculty-mentored research resulting in a formal presentation at Undergraduate Research Day, the Celebration of Collaboration held on Family Weekend.

In the past 13 editions (2011-19, 2021-24), Undergraduate Research Day at Wake Forest has featured 1,710 presentations, more than 95% of which have been mentored by one or more faculty members. The research has been as close to home as campus and as far away as Vietnam, one of nearly 60 foreign countries to which students have traveled in pursuing their work.

The chance to work side-by-side with your professors while creating new knowledge together is an experience that’s hard to beat. That’s one of the reasons we don’t limit student research to upper-class students. At Wake Forest, this experience is open to everyone.

So make sure to pack your ideas. We can’t wait to meet them, too.

“My favorite thing to do is research with my students. I’ve been fortunate to publish a lot of papers with them. Wake Forest has a beautiful blend of doing high-level research by bringing the students along with you.”

Christian Waugh, Professor or Psychology

CHRISTIAN WAUGH
Professor of Psychology

What is the URECA Center?

Wait Chapel as seen through the ironwork located on the balcony of Reynolda Hall.

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URECA) Center was established to promote undergraduate research and creative activity across Wake Forest University. Its purpose is to foster and facilitate collaboration between undergraduates and faculty and provides venues for presenting undergraduate scholarly activities.

Examples of URECA Center activities include:

Notify undergraduates and faculty of internal and external funding opportunities.
Provide summer stipends and housing to students engaged in scholarly and creative activities with WFU faculty mentors.
Encourage and celebrate faculty as they mentor and develop collaborative, professional relationships with undergraduates.
Organize campus-wide activities to showcase undergraduate research and creative work, including the annual Research Day presentations held during family weekend.
And much more!

Learn More about the URECA Center