A Community of Practice for CURE Development: The MIRIC (Mentoring the Integration of Research into the Classroom) Network

As the advantages of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) become widely accepted as a mainstream high-impact practice for undergraduate STEM education, it is paramount for instructors to be trained in effective practices for CURE development and implementation. The Mentoring the Integration of Research Into the Classroom (MIRIC) Network is a community of practice dedicated to providing current and future instructors with long-term support in implementing CUREs tailored to specific academic environments. Through the use of virtual synchronous all-network discussions as well as participant-selected affinity groups, MIRIC provides instructors with a dynamic and diverse community of educators in which to engage in long-term conversation in best practices in CURE development and implementation. Survey data on MIRIC participants reveals both success in providing instructors with the tools they need to succeed in CURE development and inspiration for evolving network focus and direction in the future.