Four years ago, it started as a quiet experiment with a pilot group of seven undergraduates. Today, the Kellogg Developing Researchers (KDR) program has grown to more than 160 students, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing.
The draw isn't what you might expect. KDR offers no stipends, no funded travel, and – perhaps most surprisingly – not even a free tee shirt.
Students show up for one reason: research.
A Skill Set with No Expiration Date
“It is amazing to see Notre Dame students so motivated to learn research skills,” shares Kellogg Institute Associate Director Holly Rivers, who designed and runs the program that connects undergraduates with research training opportunities. “They recognize the immense value of these skills across many disciplines, and they have the initiative to create their own learning paths to meet their personal goals.”
The KDR journey begins with a fundamental question: What is research? Students attend a talk on the subject from a Kellogg faculty fellow; this semester, political scientist Marc Jacob, assistant professor of democracy and global affairs in the Keough School, offered the talk, framing research as a collaborative and open-minded process.
“Research skills are, at their core, the tools we use to navigate an increasingly complex and data-driven world,” Jacob said. “Being able to systematically gather evidence and test theories isn’t just an academic exercise – it’s how we differentiate between noise and meaningful insight. Whether a student ends up in a lab, a boardroom, or public service, the ability to ask the right questions and answer them with empirical rigor is perhaps the most versatile asset they can carry into their professional life.”
Moving from Theory to Reality
KDR bridges the gap between high-level theory and hands-on application. Students commit to at least three research trainings per semester, selecting from a diverse array of options, like R, Stata, and Zotero. All are found through a Kellogg compilation of Hesburgh Libraries offerings.
By mastering such tools, KDR helps students achieve their personal research goals – whether they aim to conduct independent research, assist faculty on their projects, craft winning research proposals, or simply gain a technical edge in a specific class.
“Being part of KDR has changed how I’ve navigated Notre Dame over the past four years. Everyone always says the university has so many resources and research opportunities, but actually figuring out how to access them can feel overwhelming. KDR made the research space feel much less intimidating,” shared María Fernanda Del Rosario Villalaz ‘26, a business analytics and global affairs major who is one KDR’s student leaders. “I was actually applying text mining, data cleaning, and mixed-method analysis to real projects – that shift from learning concepts to producing research with real stakes built a lot of confidence in my skills.”
A Network Beyond the Comfort Zone
While the technical training is rigorous, the program also creates a unique community of student scholars from across the university. For KDR leader Pierce Pereira ‘27, a neuroscience and behavior major, the program provided a gateway to explore unfamiliar territory in advocacy and public health.
“KDR connects you with others who have similar goals, but their methods for achieving said goals aren't always the same,” Pereira noted. He explained that the program offers a “network of peers to support you” through the process of “exploring interests beyond your comfort zone.” This diversity of thought allows students to see how their technical skills can be applied to vastly different humanitarian and social issues.
Building a Professional Edge
KDR students also find their research skills paying dividends in the job and graduate school markets. For Del Rosario Villalaz, the experience made her professional interests feel cohesive. “When I talk with recruiters, I can point to specific examples of working with messy, real-world data and turning it into insights people can actually use,” she said.
The technical edge is equally vital to those heading toward further study. Rex Burkman ‘26, a political science major and KDR student leader, explains that the program greatly bolstered his application for graduate school through his opportunities to work directly with professors.
“By strengthening my technical, computational, and data analytical skills, KDR opened my mind to how technical research skills could complement a career in the humanities, business, or even law,“ he said.
In an era of “what’s in it for me,” KDR students have found a clear answer: the ability to ask the right questions – and the technical skills to answer them.
The Kellogg Institute, part of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, is a leading center for interdisciplinary research dedicated to understanding, strengthening, and renewing democracy worldwide.