‘Learning is an endless journey for anyone’: undergraduate awareness, experiences and perceptions of the research culture in a research-intensive university

Our study explored undergraduates’ experiences of the research culture at a research-intensive university in southern New Zealand. In 2009, 1281 students responded to a survey that probed aspects of the research culture. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics and an inductive analysis of comments. Survey results for final-year students compared very favourably to students at UK and Canadian research-intensive universities and, indeed, our students reported higher ratings for some measures. It was clear there was increased awareness and experience of research in more advanced years of study. Overall, undergraduates reported mainly positive experiences of the research culture, such as increased understanding of the topic, greater motivation and inspiration, as well as learning research skills and practical applications of theory. Although encouraged by the results, there is much room for improvement. First-year students have lower levels of awareness of the research culture and few opportunities to engage in research. Current initiatives are underway to raise the profile of undergraduate research and it is hoped that surveys in future years will demonstrate an improvement in student realisation of the research culture within which they study.