Although I believe undergraduate research for everyone would enhance higher education, I err on the side of advocating for experiential learning (rather than research) as an improvement to higher education. I do believe that students in all majors could benefit from various types of research, from experimental research in a lab to applied research in the community. However, I am also an advocate of student agency in learning. Thus, although I think students in all disciplines could benefit from undergraduate research, I think they should have the right to choose an experiential learning project to work on other than a research project, particularly since research projects may be limited in some institutions and/ or departments.
I think that experiential learning projects for all students, including undergraduate research projects, would enhance the higher education experience and value. Not only will students have the opportunity to practice the skills they have learned about in class, but they will also have the benefit of working with a professor or professional outside of the classroom, perhaps learn to work as part of a team, practice time management and task prioritization, learn from mistakes, and so on. I also think that experiential learning can help foster critical thinking in unique ways that would benefit students once they have graduated. Also related to professional development, experiential learning could benefit students applying for jobs, who otherwise may not have any practical experience to demonstrate their potential as a professional.
I am very grateful to have had many experiential learning opportunities throughout my academic career, and I believe that this should become part of the core elements of higher education, beyond the lab component of an introductory science course. I think these learning opportunities will help students develop as thinkers, professionals, and individuals.