Faculty Perspectives on Engaging Undergraduates in Agricultural and Applied Economics Research

Preparing the next generation of agricultural economists is critical to providing solutions to the numerous challenges faced within agriculture. Although undergraduates benefit from undergraduate research (UR), there is limited understanding of why and how faculty incorporate undergraduates in their research programs. To examine this issue, this study seeks to increase: (1) understanding of the motivations, (2) perceived support for, and (3) anticipated outcomes of agricultural economists who engage in UR. Based on an online survey distributed to U.S. faculty, results provide a perspective of the motivations of research mentors to engage in UR, prevailing advising models, and objectives, and perceived positive externalities to the field of agricultural economics. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations may play an important role in faculty willingness to provide UR opportunities. Additionally, institutional bodies can alleviate the difficulties researchers face when engaging undergraduates, thereby increasing the overall interest of faculty and students in agricultural and applied economics to engage in research