Emily Keaton Research Ambassador of the Year 2021-22
Q. What does this award mean to you?
A. "I am incredibly honored to be recognized for this award by the Office of Undergraduate Research. The fact that our office honors mentors, researchers, faculty, staff, and ambassadors is a testament to their thoughtfulness and intentionality in making our experience the best possible. My $250 is going straight to my research trip this summer, and my glass award has already made its home on my shelf! I am happy to provide support for undergraduate researchers and would gladly work as much and more, if I had the year to do again, which is my plan during my upcoming ambassador term!"
Q. How has your experience as a Research Ambassador impacted you?
A. "Having the opportunity to work with students on a daily basis, whether in tabling to get out the word, advising in sessions to provide tailored support, or leading workshops to build skills, was hugely important to me, and I constantly worked to be the resource and supporter that I would have wanted when I was in their place. Serving as an ambassador has given me the chance to be an active voice in encouraging snd mentoring student researchers and to build on our success by developing even more efficient systems and exciting chances for students to engage and present their work."
Q. What was the most significant or memorable moment you experienced as a Research Ambassador?
A. "During a virtual peer advising session, a kinesiology and pre-PT student dropped in needing help finding a research opportunity, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience to be able to walk them through the process and provide them with links to ongoing relevant projects in our professional schools. I could tell that the encouragement and assistance in navigating opportunities was going to make a real difference in their experience, and it is always a great moment when you know you have helped someone start their research journey."
Q. Name the top two or three lessons you learned from your experience.
A. "While being prepared is always helpful, getting too caught up in the specifics and a script will work against you. People connect most with you when you are authentic and tell them about your experience as well, and I gained great confidence in explaining my own research and utilizing my research abstracts or posters as examples to teach others.
Everyone needs to feel supported in their work, and we are all working toward a similar goal as a community. Giving someone your attention as they discuss their plans or express their concerns is meaningful, and letting them know you are excited for their work or that their research is important will mean the world to them. I still remember kind comments I was given on posters from years ago, and it helped me to stay involved in research."
Q. Why is undergraduate research important to the University of Kentucky?
A. "Undergraduate researchers serve in every department, college, and center in valuable capacities, often providing a large degree of legwork in research projects, from data analysis to experiment conduction to writing and more. Without undergraduate researchers, much of our work would not be as possible, and we complete activities every day that go toward making our world a better place together. Undergraduate researchers are the present and future of the research world, and their experiences are part of the vital growth in our institution and their individual academic and personal experiences."
Q. What advice would you give to future Research Ambassadors?
A. "Utilize every chance you have available to connect with your team and hear what research they are conducting. Work in every discipline is needed and valuable, and you have a great opportunity to learn from the work of others.
Build deep connections with staff in the office and other faculty researchers. You never know when a project that fits your studies will come your way and you will have the chance to work together with them."