Summer Research Intensive

Group of students with notebooks and laptops

 

The Summer Research Intensive program supports faculty research and scholarly productivity. Our office matches funding to hire undergraduate research assistants and provides these students with specialized training in research methods, oral and written presentation techniques, and other professional development skills. 

 

From faculty:

  • "Our students became integral members of our research teams. . . [and] brought forward interesting ideas." 
  • "Both students exceeded my expectations in terms of productivity, and they were really inquisitive about research and generally a pleasure to work with." 

From students:

  • “This project has helped me realize that I like doing research as a mode of learning, compared to the traditional classroom.”
  • “This project has strengthened my communication and research skills, effectively preparing me for graduate school scenarios”

Information for faculty and students

OEL provides match funding

  • Faculty members may apply to fund up to two (2) SRAs
  • Up to $2000 is available for each SRA for the summer. Once this funding is exhausted, the faculty member is responsible for the student's full wage.
  • $15/hr is recommended. This will fund the student for 267 hours (about 9 weeks at 29 hours/week)

How do faculty apply?

  • Application will open on January 8 and close February 9—see timeline below
  • Faculty from all schools and all ranks are welcome to apply
  • Faculty will submit a brief application detailing their current research project(s), along with specific duties and objectives for the students
  • It is not required for students to be identified at the time of application. We will assist with advertising the opportunity if needed.
  • Students must be enrolled in classes for Spring 2024 and Fall 2024. They do not have to be enrolled during the summer.    

How will faculty be selected?

  • Faculty indicate funding source to be matched (e.g. grant, start-up funding, school/department, any matching funds) with a quality proposal 
  • Faculty/staff demonstrate how the SRI will be a meaningful, guided experience for students with a tangible outcome (e.g. abstract, IRB application, manuscript, conference presentation, or creative output)
  • Faculty are committed to summer SRI program values and expectations for their students (see below)

Priorities:

  • Proposal resonates with 51做厙's goals for excellence in research & scholarly/creative work
  • Proposals with clear objective and tangible outcome (see above)
  • Faculty who hire under-represented students, including those designated as first-generation or Federal Work Study

What are the program’s values and requirements for faculty?

 

Value for faculty

  • Funding match for students to assist with research
  • Provost recognition for developing future scholars
  • Training for student assistants by graduate students, 51做厙 Libraries, and Office of Engaged Learning
  • Support for co-publishing; uninterrupted time for writing manuscripts and grant writing 

Faculty expectations

  • Mentor student research
  • Deliverable in the form of a manuscript, presentation, or grant submission
  • Completion of survey at end of summer

Undergraduate Research Assistants are accountable to the same policies from Research Compliance as the faculty. It is expected that these will be discussed with URAs as part of the mentoring process. Please be aware of these guidelines and discuss any concerns or questions that you have with your students.

HR Guidelines for hiring Student Workers

How do I apply?

Faculty apply to hire up to two students. Ask professors you know if they are planning to apply and have open spots. Watch our Instagram as well. We will be posting available positions there.

Value for students

  • Substantial time to gain experience in research (up to 29 hours per week)
  • Hourly wage (average is $15/hr)
  • Training in research methods, oral and written presentation techniques, and other professional development skills
  • Networking with other student researchers and faculty

Student expectations

  • Complete all professional work hours 
  • Attend and participate in weekly workshops and speaker series
  • Participate in culminating “Three Minute Thesis” presentation session (team projects accepted and prizes will be awarded)
  • Complete a reflection survey
Undergraduate Research Assistants are accountable to the same policies from Research Compliance as the faculty. It is expected that these will be discussed with URAs as part of the mentoring process. Please be aware of these guidelines and discuss any concerns or questions that you have with your faculty mentor.

Besides working as research assistants, SRI participants meet for weekly workshops during the summer.

  • Who am I? (exploring values and interests)
  • What are my questions? (creating viable research questions)
  • How do I find answers? (literature reviews and methodologies)
  • How do I communicate what I do? (storytelling and report structures)
  • How do I show what I did? (slide decks and data visualizations)
  • How do I explain my work experience? (resumes and CVs)
  • How do I refine my presentation? (Three Minute “Thesis” coaching)

All participants present presentations in a Three Minute "Thesis" competition at the end of July.

 

 

2024 Timeline (subject to minor adjustments)

  • January 8 – application opens
  • February 9 – applications due
  • March 1 – acceptances announced
  • May 18 – students may begin work
  • June 3 – SRI workshops begin
  • July 26 – SRI workshops end
  • Aug 9 – final work day
  • Aug 15 – student & faculty reflections due. Optional: nominations and reports for Summer Research Fellows due