LJ Fulugan, an anthropology honours student in the Faculty of Arts, gained invaluable experience during their 16 weeks of mentorship with the Undergraduate Research Award (URA).

During this immersive program, Fulugan delved into archival research across various collections in Winnipeg, honing their research skills and gaining a deeper understanding of their discipline. Not only did the experience offer academic enrichment, it also allowed them to better understand themselves, revealing their strengths and areas for growth.

In the summer of 2024, Fulugan worked under the supervision of Dr. Lara Rosenoff Gauvin, an associate professor in anthropology and co-chair of the Respectful Rematriation and Repatriation Ceremony. The RRRC involves returning Indigenous Ancestors and Belongings – that were taken and/or held by the university without consent – to First Nations, Inuit and Métis descendant communities. Dr. Rosenoff Gauvin’s research centers on the knowledge, practices and rights of survivors of violence, conflict and forced displacement.

We spoke with Fulugan about their URA experience:

FACULTY OF ARTS: What research did you conduct?

FULUGAN: I engaged in archival research at collections throughout Winnipeg in service to the Respectful Rematriation and Repatriation Ceremony. My research was conducted to understand UM’s harmful and wrongful acquisition of human  remains and followed the public apology made by President Michael Benarroch in July 2024, which I was also able to be a part of. This apology was made to descendant Indigenous communities whose Ancestors’ remains and belongings were wrongfully accepted and stewarded by UM.

FACULTY OF ARTS: What made you decide to apply for an URA? 

FULUGAN: I was initially planning to graduate from my program after four years and immediately move on to graduate school, but I realized that trying to finish my undergrad as fast as I could wasn’t a good way of making the most out of the university experience (and would be detrimental to my mental health). I thought the URA would be a helpful experience before grad school and my would-be supervisor, Dr. Lara Rosenoff Gauvin, encouraged me to apply.FACULTY OF ARTS: Was there anything that surprised you during the research process?  

FULUGAN: Understanding research as work! I loved all the parts of doing research but doing it within the context of a paid position was new.

FACULTY OF ARTS: What did you learn from the URA experience? How has it enriched your university journey? 

FULUGAN: I think that the URA helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses—what worked for me and what didn’t. Being able to dedicate the summer to honing in on these things while engaging in meaningful work was invaluable. For example, I had no trouble with doing the work but learning to balance my life as a student researcher and as a human being was something that I had to get used to. Since a lot of research involves just thinking things through in your head, it can be difficult to stop and take a break. I’m glad that the URA taught me the skills to navigate these kinds of problems, which I wouldn’t have known about without undertaking the experience.

FACULTY OF ARTS: What advice do you have for other students who are considering applying for an URA?

FULUGAN: You don’t necessarily need a plan set in stone; the goals of my project and what I did changed over the course of the summer. Just find something in your field that you’re interested in, approach a knowledgeable professor about research they might be doing that complements this and ask how you could get involved. Professors are people too!

FACULTY OF ARTS: How do your studies in the Faculty of Arts complement your research activities and your future career goals?  

FULUGAN: I hope to continue working with heritage in the future, and the Department of Anthropology’s rematriation is vital to addressing harm and moving forward in a good manner. I felt that I had a good idea of what to expect based on what I had learned in my courses because the professors I’ve had approach their work genuinely and are eager to help their students.

The URA is an excellent opportunity for students interested in conducting research to spend 16 weeks full-time from May to August under the mentorship of a professor of their choice. It offers many benefits: building valuable research skills, expanding your academic network and a $7,000 monetary award.

Applications for the 2025 URA are open! Visit the Undergraduate Research Awards webpage for more information on the application criteria and guidelines. There are over 50 Faculty of Arts researchers willing to take on an undergraduate student this summer.

Simran Bala