Campus Notice

Interdisciplinary Summer Research Program for undergraduates to be held summer 2009

From: Diana Ridgwell, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Two Virginia Tech colleges to partner in undergraduate research program

The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (CLAHS) Undergraduate Research Institute will partner with the College of Science (COS) this summer to conduct an Interdisciplinary Summer Research Program for undergraduates. This pilot program has received funding from multiple sources including a grant from Virginia Tech's Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment (ISCE), and contributions from participating departments and the dean's offices in both colleges.

Utilizing a project from English (CLAHS) as well as a joint project between Human Development (CLAHS) and Psychology (COS), student participants will share their research experiences and learn about the different methodologies being used in these studies. Students will get hands-on experience while participating in workshops to develop their research skills and knowledge of interdisciplinary approaches.

Diana Ridgwell, Director of the CLAHS Undergraduate Research Institute, noted that "the program was developed in hopes of tapping into the resources of the National Science Foundation which highly supports undergraduate research experiences through their REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Program."

"The Undergraduate Research Institute is excited about forming partnerships with other colleges and exposing our students to interdisciplinary research. We know that community and world problems will not be solved from one perspective but from the combination of many and we want our students prepared to do this." Professors Clare Dannenberg (English), Cynthia Smith (Human Development), and Julie Dunsmore (Psychology) will lead the research program with Diana Ridgwell coordinating student development activities related to their research.