What Kind of Research Happens at The University of Northern Colorado?

Updated

The University of Northern Colorado is classified as a Carnegie R2 research university, and its research spans cancer care, education, business, the arts, and the social sciences. The university describes its research as collaborative work among scholars, researchers, and students aimed at solving real-world challenges, with impact in Colorado and internationally.

What the R2 Classification Means

The Carnegie R2 designation places UNC among doctoral universities with high research activity. In practical terms, it signals that research is a core part of the institution's mission alongside teaching — not a side activity. For prospective students, that generally means opportunities to work with faculty on funded or published research, though the specific availability of those opportunities depends on the program and faculty member.

Research Areas Highlighted by UNC

UNC's own description of its research portfolio names several broad fields:

  • Health and medicine — including work to improve cancer care, alongside the university's newer College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Education — shaping the future of teaching and learning
  • Business
  • The arts
  • The social sciences

These fields reflect UNC's history as a former normal school (teacher-training institution) that has since broadened into a comprehensive university.

Examples of Current Research Stories

UNC's news and research pages feature specific projects that illustrate how the work looks in practice:

Research focus What it covers
Climate and environment Faculty and alumni discussing the causes, concerns, and impacts of a record warm, dry winter in Colorado
Technology and the brain Joanna Lewis, Ph.D., researching how emerging technologies interact with the human brain and the behaviors they drive

These examples show a pattern: research at UNC tends to connect to regional issues (Colorado climate) or to questions at the intersection of technology, behavior, and health.

How Students Fit In

UNC frames research as a joint effort between faculty and students. If you are considering UNC and want research experience, the useful next step is to look at the specific department or program you're interested in and ask directly about undergraduate or graduate research participation — the university's general description confirms the collaborative model, but the details vary by field.