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About the Undergraduate Library Research Award

A gold star, with five points, smooth edges, and a textured centre. Gold flakes are at it's base.

Overview of the Library undergraduate research award for students in an undergraduate program who have used library resources effectively in a course.

Library Undergraduate Research Award

The Laurier Library aims to encourage and recognize excellence in undergraduate-level research.

To achieve this end, the library oversees an undergraduate research award.

Nominations

Nominate a student for the Award

  • Each Laurier faculty member is welcome to nominate up to two students for the Junior award and two for the Senior award.
  • Nominators will be contacted separately to provide copies of the work to be considered.

Award Categories

The Library offers awards in two categories to recognize undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional use of any library's resources as part of their regular coursework:

  • Junior Award: a first and second place award available to any first or second year student
  • Senior Award: a first and second place award available to any third or fourth year student

Each first place award will be in the amount of $350, and each second place award is $150.

Eligibility

  • The award is only available to students registered full-time during the period in which the nominated paper was produced.
  • Students who have already graduated are still eligible, subject to all other award criteria
  • Papers co-authored by eligible student nominees are eligible.
  • Papers co-authored with faculty, staff, or other professionals are not eligible.
  • The paper must be related to a course in which the nominee was enrolled.

Award Criteria

Papers will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Variety, depth and breadth of sources: a wide variety of resources relevant to or beyond the discipline have been consulted and used.
  • Evaluation and usage of sources: uses well chosen sources from multiple perspectives; engages with and analyzes sources meaningfully.
  • Quality and complexity of argumentation and writing: a well-written, complex analysis with persuasive reasoning.
  • Citation accuracy: understands and uses a citation style accurately.

Award Committee

The Library Undergraduate Research Awards Committee (LURAC), made up of librarians and faculty members, will review each nomination and related coursework, and provides their recommendations to the Student Awards Office each year.

Previous Awards

See the results of previous years' awards here:

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