The Bass Connections Fair is your chance to meet project team leaders, learn about new research opportunities, and find a team that matches your interests, skills and goals. The event is informal, but a little preparation may help you get the most out of your conversations.

Before the Fair

  • Browse the list of projects for the coming year: Review project teams to identify a few that interest you most.
  • Read our student FAQs and reflections: These can help you understand the program structure and what to expect from the experience.
  • Prepare a short introduction: Be ready to share your name, year, major, and what draws you to a particular research question or method.

During the Fair

Each team will have a table where you can talk directly with faculty and staff team leaders. Some continuing teams may also have student representatives to share their experiences of working on the team so far. Penn Pavilion can get loud so conversations are typically short, but a few thoughtful questions can help you get a sense of a project team’s goals and fit.

You might ask:

  • What types of skills or backgrounds are you seeking?
  • What roles do you envision for students?
  • When/how often will the team meet? (Note that all teams meet at least once a week, either as a whole team or in subteams.)
  • Does the project include summer research or travel? If so, is it required and who participates?
  • What type if credit will I earn for my participation?
  • Does the project have paid roles for graduate students (e.g., project manager/subteam leader)?
  • How might this project connect with my academic or professional goals?

After the Fair

  • Jot down some notes on which teams interested you most and why.
  • Carefully review the project descriptions online and make sure you are aware of the application deadline and requirements.
  • Once you’ve reviewed your resources, reach out to us if you have lingering questions about how the program works: bassconnections@duke.edu.

The fair is designed to help you discover teams that might be right for you. You don’t need to know everything about the project’s topic or have prior research experience – curiosity, initiative and openness are what matter most as you explore.