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Information Studies Research Accelerator
From deepfakes to disinformation campaigns to social media activism, information studies researchers examine how we use information to shape our society. In our current time, it’s no longer just that “information is power” - the power lies in knowing what to do with it. By learning to conduct information-focused research, students will hone essential skills for discovery, innovation, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving in our information-driven world.
The Information Studies Research Accelerator is a living-learning community (LC) open to students from every college, program and major across Purdue’s campus. In the Research Accelerator, first-year students can conduct original research to inform solutions to information challenges we face as a society. Research Accelerator students benefit from hands-on learning, interactions with awarded scholars, and behind-the-scenes experiences with cutting-edge research. This LC is for students who want to make the most of their educational experience and make a lasting scholarly impact. Accelerate your learning, design and present research, and take your first giant leap at Purdue!
If you have additional questions, please contact Samantha LeGrand: legrands@purdue.edu
Eligibility
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
Associated Courses and Information
Fall: (required)
ILS 195 Research Thinking in Information Studies (3 cr.)
This course will give students in the Information Studies Research Accelerator LC an overview of information studies research topics, values, and methodologies. This includes topics such as AI ethics, misinformation in politics and healthcare, and social media culture. Students will be introduced to a variety of research approaches and methods used in the various fields of information studies, such as geographic information systems (GIS), archives and rare books, action research in education, digital humanities, and more. In this course, students will develop the skills to ask research questions, select and apply appropriate methods, design research projects, and share with a community of fellow researchers. This class prepares students to conduct a research project in the spring semester (optional) in which they will share their research findings and make a lasting scholarly impact!
Spring: (optional)
Course Title TBA: Conducting Research in Information Studies (2-cr.)
Students will work in teams to conduct a research project exploring an information studies topic. Students select a topic of interest from a list of possible projects. Teams will learn and apply information studies research methods and tools applicable for investigating the topic. Example topics include analyzing misinformation in national publications, mapping historical land use using census data, or visualizing connections between musicians who were part of a particular genre. Students will engage in a collaborative research project and present their research in a public forum.
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:
- Social events
- Visits with information studies researchers
- Panel of student researchers working on information studies research projects
- Purdue resource exploration and tours: research groups, labs, fabrication facilities, archives and more
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.
