Cindy Lustig, Psychology | 2020-2021
Students from historically-marginalized groups, those who are first-generation immigrants or college students, and those from low-income backgrounds (hereafter, under-represented students; URS) are less likely to participate in the research activities that are an important step towards graduate school and obtaining transferable skills for non-academic careers. The Students Tackling Advanced Research (STAR) program takes a multi-pronged, evidence-based approach to addressing this issue, targeting first- and second-year students before they drop out of the “pipeline”. Fall seminars, open to all, provide an initial introduction to research and how to get involved. These allow for mutual assessment of interest, as well serving students unable to participate in the more intensive Winter program. The Winter program includes ~30 UR students. It alternates between “all-hands” sessions (faculty talk followed by graduate-student led presentation) and small-group mentoring. Students complete activities that concretely advance them on the path towards research participation (finding labs, polishing CVs, composing introductory emails, mock interviews, etc). Pre/post survey data indicate STAR has been highly successful in improving students’ self-rated knowledge and competence related to becoming involved in research. In this funding cycle we will increase the emphasis on developing autonomy and a “science identity”, and provide further support to students to implementing what they have learned after finishing the academic year program. We will also increase assessment on objective measures, and provide online, open-source materials freely available to others who may wish to replicate its success.