Partners for Algorithmic Literacy

Student-Faculty Learning Community

Are our choices really our own when our social media feeds can be manipulated to tell us how to think, feel, and act in the world?

Information is often used to confuse and disempower individuals and communities, threatening democracy around the world. It is of vital importance to society that individuals are able to navigate today’s algorithmically mediated information environment, which exacerbates the spread and the harms of mis and disinformation. SPIRaL researches the role information literacy may play in addressing these information challenges that impact society. Undergraduate SPIRaL researchers contribute to this work as full research partners, who make decisions that determine the purpose and direction of project outcomes. They learn with and from one another as part of a scholarly community. Undergraduate SPIRaL researchers do work with lasting impact as they shape the future of the program for the next cohort of SPIRaL researchers.

Applications for the ’24-24 academic year will be open February 1st!

To apply to be a SPIRaL researcher, please read the researcher position description and complete this short Qualtrics survey no later than Friday, March 22nd at 11:59pm.

For any questions reach out to Rachel Fundator, rfundato@purdue.edu.

Required Qualifications

Undergraduate student interested in research and information challenges
Ability to dedicate 6-8 hours per week to SPIRaL activities
Desire to work on a dynamic team and contribute through shared decision-making
Initiative to complete independent tasks on-time
Strong written and oral communication skills
While not a requirement, we find it helpful for students to be in their second or third year in college

Program Details

6-8 hour time commitment per week with required in-person research group meetings
Academic credit through enrollment in ILS 235 (2 credts in Fall) and ILS 236 (1 credit in Spring)
$1,000 annual stipend (paid in $500 installments each semester)
Guidance from research mentors in the Institute for Information Literacy at Purdue
Opportunities to attend talks, workshops, and trainings at Purdue
Chance to present or publish research