Undergraduate Research Opportunity at the Center for the Study of Women
Contribute to CSW’s Chemical Entanglements research project and earn course credit
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Applications will be evaluated as they are received. Interested students are advised to apply as early as possible. Students interested in working during the summer should apply immediately and specify such in the application.
The UCLA Center for the Study of Women (CSW) is accepting applications from qualified UCLA undergraduate students to enroll in 99 or 196/199 research units under CSW Director Rachel Lee during the Summer and Fall 2019 quarters. Depending on performance, students may be eligible to continue for additional quarters. We are particularly interested in students who are available for at least two quarters or the entire 2019-2020 academic year.
Students must have experience conducting interviews and/or oral histories in order to be considered. Selected students will conduct interviews for an oral history project that contributes to CSW’s Chemical Entanglements research stream.
Students can sign up for 1-2 units per quarter under the following departments: English, Gender Studies, Asian American Studies, and Institute for Society and Genetics (students from any discipline may apply, however). We may consider students for 4 units but only in exceptional and extenuating circumstances.
Students must be in good academic standing and registered during each quarter that you plan to be enrolled in research units. Students will be required to meet weekly as a group and conduct final presentations during Finals Week as part of the course.
Students will receive mentorship and guidance from CSW Staff, Graduate Student Researchers, and Faculty, and will be selected based on level of interview experience.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Undergraduate researchers will assist with Oral Histories of Environmental Illness, an oral history project that focuses on experiences with chemical sensitivity or other contested, environmental illnesses, as well as individual and group activist efforts to promote chemical safety and institutional change. This is a feminist, social justice-oriented project informed by disability studies scholarship. Students will assist with identifying and leading outreach to interviewees, conducting interviews, transcribing interviews, and writing post-interview reports. Students are expected to meet weekly with a CSW advisor.
Qualifications for this Project
- In order to be considered for this project, students must commit for at least two consecutive quarters, with preference for those who commit to the entire 2019-2020 academic year.
- Prior oral history and/or interview experience is required.
- Strong independent research skills and familiarity with conducting library and internet research
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to think quickly and critically
- Attention to detail
- Strong listening skills, high level of patience
- Experience or interest in writing stories for diverse audiences
- High level of discretion, integrity, and ability to handle confidential/sensitive materials
REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
It is expected that by the end of the quarter, students will have completed the following:
- Project Deliverable: One or more oral history interview(s), with transcript and all required documentation
- 1000-word Blog Post to be published on the CSW website
- Final Presentation (to take place during Finals Week)
TO APPLY
Complete the online application form.
You will be asked to provide the following:
- 3-paragraph statement. Please submit one paragraph each in response to the following questions:
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- Research interests: Why are you interested in working on this project?
- Interview experience: What prior interview experience do you have? How does this experience qualify you to work this project? (Be as specific as possible in describing your past experiences.)
- Research experience: What other research projects or research papers have you completed?
- Resume/CV, highlighting relevant research/academic experiences/skills related to project(s) of interest
- Unofficial UCLA transcript (include Fall 2019 courses)
Questions? Contact Alexandra Apolloni, CSW Program and Research Developer.
