Student Partners for Information Research and Literacy (SPIRaL)

Undergraduate Research Program

Program Overview

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.

How to Apply

To learn more about next year’s research, please review the researcher position description and email Rachel Fundator at rfundato@purdue.edu, with a 1-page description of your interest in the program and a current resume.

Required Qualifications

  • Undergraduate student with an expected graduation date of no sooner than May 2025
  • Interest in research and information challenges
  • Ability to dedicate 6-8 hours per week of quality time and effort to SPIRaL activities
  • Desire to work on a dynamic team and contribute through shared decision-making
  • Initiative to complete independent tasks on-time and communicate progress
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • While not a requirement, we find it helpful for students to be second or third-year students

Program Details

  • Academic-year undergraduate research program (August 19, 2024 – May 3, 2025)
  • 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 per semester)
  • Guidance from research mentors in the Institute for Information Literacy at Purdue
  • Opportunities to attend talks, workshops, and trainings from other units at Purdue
  • Present or publish research findings

SPIRaL researchers

Noelia Alvarez Major: Artificial Intelligence

Noelia Alvarez
Major: Artificial Intelligence

Margaret Collins

Margaret Collins
Majors: Political Science, Spanish

Nancy Dooley

Nancy Dooley
Majors: Political Science, Law & Society

Abigail Finney

Abigail Finney
Majors: Computer Science, Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

Quinn Loughran


Quinn Loughran
Majors: English Literature, Political Science

Grace Vavra

Grace Vavra
Majors: Psychology, Law & Society

This year’s research

In the 2023-24 academic year, SPIRaL will conduct original qualitative research to study how undergraduate students perceive the relationship between social media algorithms and the ways they are able to engage democratically in digital spaces. We seek to better understand various student perspectives on the role algorithmic media and algorithmic platforms may play in shaping their civic attitudes, behaviors, and lives. This research may help identify new approaches for Libraries faculty to partner with students on algorithmic literacy efforts that reflect the digital experiences of college students and that aim to empower society to engage and participate democratically in today’s information environment.

Five undergraduate students will join research mentors from the Institute for Information Literacy at Purdue to conduct this research. As partners, we will:

  • explore literature from across disciplines to learn more about the role information literacy can play in strengthening democratic participation and emerging efforts to improve algorithmic literacy to prepare society for today’s algorithmically mediated and organized information environment.
  • apply qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews and thematic analysis,
  • determine avenues for sharing the outcomes and insights from our research with different audiences through posters, presentations, interactive workshops, and more.

    Learn more about our research and how to apply

    For any questions, please email Rachel Fundator.

    Reasons to Join SPIRaL

    Become part of a research community

    Seek solutions to real-world challenges

    Hone your research skills

    Share your research with others