Creating an Undergraduate Research Lab in Political Science

• In Event: TLC at APSA Technology and Innovative Pedagogy Track Panel 1: Community Engagement and Experiential Science

Abstract

Hands-on, experiential learning is becoming more popular and existing research suggests it is a valuable part of an undergraduate education. This paper evaluates the current efforts to establish a permanent undergraduate research lab at the University of Colorado Boulder in the Department of Political Science. A small-scale trial lab was established in summer 2019 and was followed up with a more formalized undergraduate research lab in spring semester 2020 called the STUDIO lab. In spring semester 2020, we solicited faculty proposals and student applications in order to pair students with faculty projects for which they would be research assistants. The STUDIO lab also included professional and networking events. We discuss the potential benefits of this kind of learning, our specific learning goals, the implementation of the labs, what worked well, and areas for improvement. We devote particular attention to ways in which we can continue to promote diversity and inclusiveness in an undergraduate research lab. NOTE: We would both be presenting, but I'm having trouble indicating this in the online submission system.

Authors

• Jeffrey Nonnemacher, University of Pittsburgh

• Sarah Wilson Sokhey, University of Colorado, Boulder