TR
EN
Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities
Abstract
This study provides a strategic roadmap for the systematic institutionalization of undergraduate research (URE) in Türkiye’s research universities. Aiming to bridge the gap between national policy goals and fragmented practices, the research seeks to transform the current structure into a holistic research ecosystem that enhances institutional capacity. The study systematically reviews 76 national publications spanning 1996–2025 and analyzes key higher education policy documents. Findings reveal that the current literature is heavily concentrated in Educational Sciences (62%), while STEM fields (8%) are significantly underrepresented; furthermore, existing practices remain largely extracurricular and grant dependent. To overcome these structural barriers, a three-tiered “IUR-Türkiye” implementation model encompassing policy, institutional, and curricular levels is proposed. The model recommends mandating measurable metrics at the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) level, establishing centralized Undergraduate Research Offices, and embedding Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) into the curriculum. Furthermore, the formal recognition of faculty mentorship within academic promotion processes is emphasized as a strategic requirement for a sustainable research culture.
Keywords
- undergraduate research
- research universities
- Türkiye
- higher education policy
- undergraduate research
- research universities
- Türkiye
- higher education policy
- course based undergraduate research experiences (CURE)
Ethical Statement
Ethics committee approval is not required for this study, as it is a conceptual/review paper based on the systematic analysis of existing literature and public policy documents.
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Higher Education Policies, Higher Education Systems
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
September 20, 2026
Submission Date
February 4, 2026
Acceptance Date
September 14, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 3
APA
Garip, G., & Koç, G. (2026). Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities. Journal of University Research, 9(3), 465-491. https://izlik.org/JA43ZM62RT
AMA
1.Garip G, Koç G. Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities. Journal of University Research. 2026;9(3):465-491. https://izlik.org/JA43ZM62RT
Chicago
Garip, Gökçe, and Gürcü Koç. 2026. “Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities”. Journal of University Research 9 (3): 465-91. https://izlik.org/JA43ZM62RT.
EndNote
Garip G, Koç G (September 1, 2026) Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities. Journal of University Research 9 3 465–491.
IEEE
[1]G. Garip and G. Koç, “Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities”, Journal of University Research, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 465–491, Sept. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA43ZM62RT
ISNAD
Garip, Gökçe - Koç, Gürcü. “Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities”. Journal of University Research 9/3 (September 1, 2026): 465-491. https://izlik.org/JA43ZM62RT.
JAMA
1.Garip G, Koç G. Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities. Journal of University Research. 2026;9:465–491.
MLA
Garip, Gökçe, and Gürcü Koç. “Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities”. Journal of University Research, vol. 9, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 465-91, https://izlik.org/JA43ZM62RT.
Vancouver
1.Gökçe Garip, Gürcü Koç. Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research: A Policy Roadmap for Turkish Research Universities. Journal of University Research [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 1;9(3):465-91. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA43ZM62RT