About
SHPRS’ Undergraduate Research Experience places undergraduate students into research assistant opportunities working with individual faculty members on their research projects. Students will enroll in HST/ PHI/ REL 494: Undergraduate Research Experience* and may earn up to 9 hours of elective credits (and in some cases, apply them towards their major). All students in good academic standing are invited to apply (minimum GPA 2.0).
Undergraduate research opportunities will be added as they become available. Please check back regularly for new opportunities.
* As with any course at ASU that earns credit, regular tuition charges apply.
**Undergraduate Research Experience can only count as elective credit within the major and cannot substitute for required courses. If you have already fulfilled all of your major electives, the course will only count as general elective credit. If your major is not in SHPRS, please consult with your major advisor.
Applications for spring 2024 are due October 20, 2023.
Benefits of the program
- First-hand experience of professional research
- Learn applicable research skills
- Invest invaluable relationships with faculty
Program highlights
As a research assistant, you will:
- Work with SHPRS faculty supporting his or her research
- Earn credit commensurate with the number of hours of work (determined in advance and detailed in the URE contract)
- Learn applicable research skills
- Strengthen your resume and grad school application
Steps to apply
1. Review the URE opportunities available and determine which one(s) interest you.
2. Submit your application. You can apply to one research opportunity. Faculty leading the project may request a follow-up interview.
3. Receive an email announcing selected applicants and next steps. Once you’re in the door make the best of the opportunity…learn what you came to learn, get your questions answered, make a connection that lasts a lifetime.
Questions? Email Marissa.R.Timmerman@asu.edu.
Opportunities
Spring 2024 Opportunities
Tempe/Online
Slavery and Captivity in the Medieval World: Pedagogical Approaches
Professor Hannah Barker, History
Dr. Hannah Barker is developing a publicly available website (www.medievalslavery.org) with resources for professors who want to teach a unit or an entire course on slavery in the medieval world, students doing research projects on slavery in the medieval world, and members of the public who want to learn about slavery in the medieval world. It includes a collection of primary sources which have never before been translated into English and a selected bibliography for further reading.
Ancient Philosophy Research Experience
Professor Sandra Woien, Philosophy
The primary aim of this project is to offer research support for a book project centered on Ancient Philosophy. Assistance is desired across various phases of book development and launch including curating quotes/passages, doing literature reviews, finding research related to certain themes, editing the manuscript as it is developed, and creating outlines for blog posts or Twitter threads on related topics. Within these given parameters, the exact nature of this project can be customized to align with the student's particular interests and strengths.
Public History Research Experience
Erin Craft, History
Public History is history that engages the community in building connections to their pasts and each other. For this research experience, students will work with the Public History coordinator and various Faculty on a variety of ongoing Public History projects. These projects will change throughout the semester and will vary depending on if the student is in person or online. Students will participate in at least different two projects, but likely more. Projects might include archive work, transcription, creating a digital collection, oral history, exhibition planning, community research, writing for the public or conducting collecting events. One hour per week will be spent in a Zoom or in-person meeting.
Freshwater Fish & Fishing in the Southern Hemisphere, 1860-1950
Professor Tobias Harper, History
This project examines the cultural, environmental, and legal history of freshwater fishing in the modern world. I'm focused on the Southern Hemisphere - settler colonies like New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa in the British Empire, and also possibly (depending on student interest and language) on South America.
Tempe
Local Museums: Archives & Collections Research Experience
Erin Craft, History
The collections at the Arizona Historical Society (AHS), Tempe History Museum, and the Arizona Jewish Historical Society broadly represent Arizona History and are invaluable to researchers of various disciplines and the public. Students will work with Senior Program Coordinator Erin Craft and Professor Mark Tebeau, as well as the archivists, collections manager and librarians at one or more of the three museum locations, to engage in hands on work surrounding digital and physical collections and archive management. Tasks might include item evaluation, collection management, exhibit design, or research, and will be designed to meet student’s skill and interests as much as possible.