More than 100 undergraduate students filled the Teaching and Learning Complex Learning Lab Nov. 14 to learn how to find research projects that matter to them. The Undergraduate Research Center and University Honors Program invited award-winning Stanford University author Thomas S. Mullaney to lead the event.

Mullaney, who wrote the book, Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project That Matters to You (and the World), guided attendees in several exercises designed to help students find research inspiration within themselves. The offering proved so popular with students that a live stream event was made available after all the Learning Lab’s seats were filled.

According to Mullaney, the hardest part of research isn’t answering a question. Instead, he said, it’s knowing the steps to take before determining the research questions. His exercises are designed to explore how to choose a compelling project that matters to both the researcher and others.

The first 40 students who attended the event received a copy of Mullaney’s book. UC Davis Undergraduate Education programs offer a variety of special workshops and events for students as part of its efforts to foster innovative and transformative educational experiences.

The University Honors Program provides students with an enriched undergraduate education through its interdisciplinary curriculum. 

The Undergraduate Research Center facilitates and encourages research opportunities for UC Davis undergraduate students across all majors and class levels through research funding, activities and more. 

Read more about Undergraduate Education programs