NEWS & EVENTS

Faculty members from the Department of Communication Studies participated in "Building a Community of Practice in Research-Informed Teaching and learning," a collaborative project aimed at enhancing undergraduate research experiences across business, communication, and social sciences disciplines.

Professor Kara Chan (Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning) served as Principal Investigator, while Dr. Florin C. Serban (Lecturer) participated as a member of the 16-educator community spanning five universities. The initiative focused on developing and implementing course-based research assignments that engage students in authentic scientific inquiry.

The Community of Practice held six meetings in which members shared strategies for designing research-based assignments, discussed implementation challenges, and developed best practices for integrating research elements into undergraduate coursework. The collaborative approach enabled faculty to bridge theory and practice while addressing common pedagogical challenges in non-STEM disciplines.

A significant outcome of the project was the Student Research Symposium in May 2025, during which participating students presented their research. The symposium provided students with experience in academic presentation and peer evaluation, while faculty members served as abstract reviewers and judges.

The initiative demonstrates the Department's commitment to innovative pedagogy that prepares students for real-world challenges through hands-on research experiences. Students participating in the program developed critical research skills, including interviewing techniques, data analysis capabilities, and academic writing, while gaining confidence in contributing to knowledge creation within their disciplines.