The Division of Physical and Biological Sciences is launching a new Undergraduate Work-Study Research Initiative (WSRI) and is seeking three faculty facilitators to help run it.
These appointments will run from summer 2021 through spring 2022. Summer commitment is minimal given that work-study jobs start in the fall and remain active through spring. Each faculty facilitator will receive $2,000/year.
Interested faculty should submit a self-nomination. Questions can be directed to Peter Weiss (pweiss@ucsc.edu) or Christina Ravelo (acr@ucsc.edu).
What is the WSRI?
The Divisional Science DEI Committee has initiated the WSRI to engage students with work-study awards in scientific research, integrate them into the STEM culture, and provide an opportunity to deepen their knowledge in their chosen discipline. Many low-income students at UCSC with work-study awards have declared a major in the Physical and Biological Sciences, yet the number of opportunities for these students to have meaningful work in scientific research is much lower. This initiative seeks to build support for faculty PIs to receive peer-to-peer mentorship training and to hire and retain work-study students for a meaningful research experience. In addition, the initiative supports students by creating a community of scientists for the students to facilitate their growth professionally and personally while earning money.
Faculty Facilitators
Faculty facilitators with prior experience working with and mentoring work-study students in their labs will support both students in work-study positions and their faculty mentors (PIs). There will be three facilitators, one from each of three areas: biomedical sciences, physical sciences, and environmental sciences.
To help foster community among the work-study researchers, these facilitators will lead one meeting per quarter to bring together student researchers for socializing, community building activities, and mentoring. Faculty facilitators will also receive mentorship training through the Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL) and organize meetings with PIs once per quarter to provide a peer-peer resource.
Additional information is available in the Call for Self-Nomination.
