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 information challenges like these that impact society.
Undergraduate SPIRaL scholars contribute to this important 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 scholars do work with lasting impact as they shape the future of the program for the next cohort of SPIRaL scholars.
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
How to Apply
Positions for the ’26-27 academic year have been filled. You are always welcome to read more about this year’s research topic, as well as program details and requirements in the SPIRaL position description.
For any questions, please reach out to Rachel Fundator, rfundato@purdue.edu. If you would like to join the waitlist to participate for the coming year, please email Rachel about what materials to send for consideration.
Required Qualifications
- Undergraduate student with an expected graduation date of no sooner than May 2027
- Interest in research and information challenges
- Desire to work on a dynamic team and contribute through shared decision-making
- Initiative to complete independent tasks on-time and communicate progress with team
- 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
- 6-8 hour time commitment per week with required in-person research group meetings
- Academic credit through enrollment in ILS 335 (2 credits in fall) and ILS 336 (1 credit in spring)
- 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
Next Year’s Research: The Creativity Question
In the ’26-27 academic year, SPIRaL will explore how AI is shaping the future of creative professions. SPIRaL scholars will interview Purdue undergraduates nearing graduation to explore:
- How they perceive creativity in their future professions
- What roles and activities they envision for humans and AI in the creative work of their field
- How their education is (or isn’t) preparing them for this new landscape
This is a chance to shape the conversation about creativity, technology, and the future of work through a hands-on research experience with other undergraduate researchers from across campus.