Undergraduate Research Week at Dartmouth
SURFD hosted Dartmouth's very first Undergraduate Research Week from April 20-24, 2026. This celebration of curiosity, creativity, and academic achievement showcased the innovative research students conduct across disciplines and recognized the dedication and mentorship that supports this work.
The week began with a tabling event where students learned about research opportunities, connected with research librarians, and participated in interactive activities such as writing thank-you cards to mentors and playing a "guess that researcher" game featuring Dartmouth faculty past and present. Students also enjoyed giveaways and refreshments, helping create an inviting and engaging introduction to undergraduate research through the SURFD Office.
Additional programming throughout the week encouraged students to connect with peers and mentors. At the research coffeehouses held in local cafés around Hanover, student researchers shared advice and experiences across a wide range of disciplines, including history, linguistics, theater, biomedical engineering, and more! A work-in-progress open mic co-hosted with the Dartmouth Undergraduate Research Association gave students the opportunity to practice presentations, workshop thesis ideas, and prepare for conferences such as the Wetterhahn Science Symposium. Activities like the selfie scavenger hunt also encouraged students to explore research-related spaces around campus and engage with events such as the Climate Week poster session.
The week concluded with the Made at Dartmouth (MAD) Research Video Contest Film Screening, which showcased all 19 submissions from this year's competition and provided an opportunity for students to celebrate their peers' work in a public setting. During the event, the grand prize winner, runners-up, and honorable mentions selected by the judging panel were announced, and participating students voted for their favorite film from the screening.
We look forward to hosting Undergraduate Research Week next April!
Undergraduate Research Week was created and promoted by the Council on Undergraduate Research and is celebrated by many universities and colleges across the country.
