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Information Studies Research Accelerator
Every major discovery starts with information, whether in engineering, science, the arts and humanities, technology, or health. But in a world flooded with data, the power to create change lies in first understanding how humans find, interpret, and use that information to shape society.
Research From Day One
Information Studies Research Accelerator (ISRA) is a Living-Learning Community designed for first-year students from all majors who want to go beyond the textbook. Here, you won't just learn about research; you will be a researcher. By joining this community, you gain a critical advantage: you will learn to look at the "human side" of the problems your future major aims to solve.
What is information studies research?
You might be planning to build bridges, code software, cure diseases, or teach the next generation. Information Studies asks the questions that make those endeavors ethical and innovative. In this LC, we explore the many ways college students shape and are shaped by information ecosystems. For example:
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It's not just coding an app; it's researching how that app's interface changes user behavior.
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It's not just collecting climate data; it's analyzing how environmental news spreads on social media.
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It's not just using AI for efficiency; it's investigating the real human impacts of deepfakes or algorithmic bias.
Why join? The Interdisciplinary Advantage
Research shows that employers and graduate schools look for candidates who can think critically and communicate complex ideas. By combining the technical skills of your major with the critical research of Information Studies, you will develop:
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Transferable Research Skills: Master qualitative and quantitative methods that apply to any field.
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Project Management Experience: Learn to manage timelines, collaborate in teams, and navigate the "messy" but joyful process of discovery.
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A Researcher Identity: Move from being a passive recipient of others' knowledge to an active scholar contributing to academic conversations.
We hope you'll join us! Ready to make a lasting scholarly impact in your very first year? Accelerate your learning, design original research, and take your first giant leap at Purdue.
If you have additional questions, please contact Samantha LeGrand: legrands@purdue.edu
Eligibility
First-time beginning students admitted to any school/college/major who have an interest in undergraduate research.
Residential Component
- Required. The location of learning community housing will be determined based on the incoming size and needs of the learning community.
- A signed housing contract is required to apply to this learning community. Once a housing contract is completed, you will indicate your learning community housing preference within the learning community application. Applications received by the priority deadline will be considered first.
- If you want to be placed with a preferred roommate and be admitted to a learning community with a required residential component, both you and your roommate must apply (and be accepted) to the same learning community. Students admitted to learning communities with a required residential component cannot be paired with students admitted to learning communities with an optional residential component.
- For specific question regarding learning communities, email learningcommunities@purdue.edu.
- Completing a housing contract is a separate process from applying to a learning community. If you have questions about housing, contact University Residences (https://www.housing.purdue.edu/) at housing@purdue.edu.
Duration
Full Academic Year
Unlike traditional one-semester courses, ISRA functions as a year-long research incubator. Enrollment in both the Fall and Spring courses is required to guide you through the full research lifecycle.
Associated Courses and Information
Fall: (required)
ILS 195a Information Innovators: Exploring Research in Information Studies (3 cr.)
We will form collaborative teams to identify a problem, review existing research, and design your own research study proposal. You will practice asking critical questions and design a study that connects your personal values to societal issues.
Spring: (required)
ILS 195b Information Innovators: Research Experience in Information Studies (3-cr.)
You bring your plan to life. Your team will collect data, analyze existing real-world content (such as social media trends, user reviews, and public datasets) and synthesize your findings. You will submit your work for the opportunity to present at the Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference.
Note: Every fee eligible student involved with a learning community (LC) at Purdue will be assessed the $200 LC fee to their university account. These funds support activities and travel, signature LC events, housing assignments and/or course registration and instructor stipends.
Events and Activities Included:
Life in ISRA: Community & Connection
Research and learning are better when we do it together. As a member of ISRA LC, you will live and learn alongside peers who share your curiosity.
- Exclusive Events: Attend our signature community dinner with faculty and student researchers, explore create forms of research at the Knowledge Lab, and get personalize feedback on your resume from faculty and industry experts.
- Individual Research Mentorship: Build connections with faculty mentors and fellow student researchers who will guide you through your first year at Purdue.
Students are expected to attend out-of-class activities.
Information above is subject to change. If you are placed in the LC, the associated courses will be on your schedule prior to you registering for the rest of your courses.
