Academic Affairs

Undergraduate Research

As an undergraduate, you’ll work side-by-side with esteemed faculty on research projects that, at other universities, are usually reserved for graduate students. If you are interested in pursuing research, contact your departmental advisor to ask for more information.

Research Oversight:

HSU Institutional Review Board -

  • Henderson State University’s IRB reviews research protocols to ensure that individuals who volunteer for or are compensated for their participation in research are treated with dignity and care for their welfare. The IRB helps the university to be confident that research conducted here is ethical, fair, and safe for participants. It also helps researchers be confident that their research has been reviewed for issues that they may not have considered. It helps the community to be assured that if they participate in research that they will be treated with dignity and protected from undue harm.

  • All research that involves human subjects (even administering surveys) should go through the IRB. Some research will be deemed exempt from IRB review; however, that determination will have to be made by the IRB.

HSU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee -

  • The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Henderson State University oversees and evaluates all aspects of animal care and use programs and facilities to ensure ethical use and well-being of animals used for research or teaching.

  • Approval by the HSU IACUC is required before the use of vertebrate animals at Henderson StateUniversity or its facilities.

Student Research Funding Opportunities:

McNair Scholars Program - The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) assists low-income, first-generation college students and those from underrepresented groups in preparing for graduate education

Arkansas Students Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)- All types of undergraduate research are eligible for support. Applications are due November 1st.

NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates - REUs are research opportunities available to undergraduate students at institutions across the country, generally during the summer, and funded through the National Science Foundation.

Presentation and Publication Opportunities:

HSU Research Symposium - The Henderson Research Symposium is an opportunity for Henderson students and faculty of all disciplines to present their research in oral presentations, as well as poster and virtual poster format.

HSU Academic Forum - The Henderson Academic Forum is a scholarly journal that seeks to publish those members of the Henderson State University community whose academic work deserves circulation and appreciation in a multi- and inter-disciplinary forum.

Metamorphosis — A Journal of Undergraduate Research Published by COPLAC - Metamorphosis features scholarly and creative work at COPLAC member institutions across the United States and Canada.

The Arkansas Academy of Science - The Academy is a volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan, non-political, professional organization consisting of scientists who pay dues to join with other scientists to promote science in the state and region. The funds generated by the Academy annual membership dues provide students with assistance to attend college, conduct research, and provide for travel, supplies, and other expenses through grants and awards.

National Conference on Undergraduate Research - This gathering of student scholars welcomes presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all corners of the academic curriculum.

Council on Undergraduate Research SPUR Journal - CUR’s scholarly journal, Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research (SPUR)