The Big Number

Spring 2024

Out of 860 graduating seniors surveyed in May 2023, almost 70% report having participated in research activities, broadly defined, during their years at Rice. Those experiences include research in STEM fields and in the humanities, arts and social sciences, as well as across disciplines. Importantly, such experiences may be completed in a course or independently and take place on or off campus. “We define research, design and creative work as a form of experiential learning that involves a systematic inquiry, investigation or iterative process to make an original intellectual or creative contribution or to identify and solve a problem,” says Caroline Quenemoen, associate provost.

At Rice, the benefits of these experiential learning activities are well documented. For example, of the undergraduates who participated in research activities, 86% say the experience helped develop skills important for their career goals and 76% say it increased their confidence in their coursework. 

We define research, design and creative work as a form of experiential learning that involves a systematic inquiry, investigation or iterative process to make an original intellectual or creative contribution or to identify and solve a problem.

Rice continues to expand access to research opportunities by integrating research into the undergraduate curriculum and creating programs for students without prior research experience — like the new Moody Sustaining Excellence in Research Scholars program (an academic-year, faculty-mentored research program in business, humanities and social sciences) and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program. Funding from the Moody Foundation supports disciplinary research pathways in many of Rice’s schools, while many department and university funds provide resources for students to conduct research domestically and internationally, Quenemoen adds.