Project SPIRaL: Climate Change Conversations and Action Program SPIRaL (Student Partners for Information Research and Literacy) Term Academic Year 2025 Status Accepted Research Area Information Literacy, Information Studies Description In the 2025-2026 academic year, SPIRaL will build upon the large-scale Project Information Literacy Climate Study to investigate how fellow Purdue students who are knowledgeable and concerned about climate change use information to 1.) talk productively with others about climate change and 2.) change their behavior regarding climate change action. SPIRaL scholars will interview Purdue undergraduates about their perceptions of productive discourse, how they use evidence to engage in challenging conversations around climate change, and how their experiences with information motivate or demotivate them to engage more in climate change activism. Supervisor Rachel K Fundator Mentor Type of work required Qualitative research across an academic-year undergraduate research program
Academic credit: ILS 335 (2 credits in fall) and ILS 336 (1 credit in spring)
Required in-person research group meetings (likely T/TH 1:20-2:20 pm)
Guidance from mentors in the Institute for Information Literacy at Purdue
Present or publish research findings
Websites https://lib.purdue.edu/iilp/student-partners-for-information-research-and-literacy/ Qualifications Undergraduate with an expected graduation date of no sooner than May 2026 Interest in research and information challenges Ability to dedicate 6-8 hours per week of quality time and effort to SPIRaL activities Desire to be part of a dynamic research team and contribute through shared decision-making Initiative to complete independent tasks on-time and proactively communicate progress While not a requirement, we find it helpful for students to be second or third-year students When you apply, please answer the two prompts below and attach the document as a statement of interest: 1. In a paragraph or two, please describe your interest in SPIRaL. Which experiences (academic, professional, personal, etc.) do you believe will support your work in SPIRaL if you were to be accepted into the program? We are interested in knowing about your interests and current knowledge about information challenges (e.g. mis/disinformation, access to information, etc.) and information literacy. Take a look at the SPIRaL webpage to learn more about the work we do and previous SPIRaL projects. 2. In a few sentences, what do you hope to achieve or gain from participation in SPIRaL? Credit Hours 3 Weekly Hours 6 (estimated)