Spotlight on SPP: Helping students start strong

A suite of research resources developed by a student, for students, now featured on McMaster’s Undergraduate Research site

What is your project and what did you find?

During my time as a student partner for the McMaster Office of Undergraduate Research, I developed a suite of open-access resources for students beginning their research journeys. Drawing from my own experiences and reflections while preparing to defend my master’s thesis, I created a series of student-informed tools, including a guide to writing your thesis, a poster-format resource on presenting at conferences, tips for effective research communication, and strategies for making the most of undergraduate research. These materials are now hosted on the Office of Undergraduate Research website to support students across disciplines.

How might this research impact other instructors and students?

This collection of student-informed resources is designed to empower undergraduates to take ownership of their research and thesis journey. Grounded in lived student experience, the tools speak directly to the questions, doubts, and challenges that often come with starting out in research. By making the process more approachable, they aim to cultivate and strengthen McMaster’s already vibrant research community. Instructors can also use these resources to support early research engagement and foster inclusive, student-centered conversations around mentorship and scholarship. 

Why the partnership model?

The success of this project came from a partnership that valued both student insight and pedagogical impact. I had the freedom to bring forward ideas based on what I wished I’d had as a new researcher, and with Dr. Mahalingam’s support, those ideas became real, accessible tools. It was a collaborative process that respected student voice and made space for meaningful contribution.