Abstract
<jats:p>Each year, the Faculty participates in the QUT-wide scheme known as VRES, with the aim of introducing our undergraduate students to the world of research, traditionally over the summer break. Curious and engaged students will wonder, what do my university lecturers do in the breaks between semesters? What research activities are they doing when not engaged in teaching activities? By committing their time to the VRES program, participating students are able to experience first-hand the invigorating, meticulous but sometimes frustrating work that doing research involves. The VRES program brings together a number of important participants: high performing student applicants are matched to projects submitted by our researchers, who undertake to spend time over their summer break to involve VRES students in scoping out new areas of research or to progress existing research programs. As such, perusing the topics posted by participating academics, usually 20 or more topics, provides a valuable snapshot into the topics of interest to business and law researchers. The Graduate Research Centre (GRC) facilitates the application process and manages the students’ transition from coursework mindset to researcher. This is matched by the dedication of our librarians, who are critical to the VRES students’ success in upskilling to their new role. The VRES program culminates with a showcase presentation of the VRES student’s projects and reflections. Of course, the VRES program is enabled by funding from the University’s and the faculty’s research budgets.</jats:p>