SPIRaL: Student Partners for Information Research and Literacy
Undergraduate Research Program
Purdue Libraries & School of Information Studies
Program Overview
SPIRaL trains undergraduate researchers to explore real-world information challenges, such as mis/disinformation. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the team will build on the Project Information Literacy
- Engage in meaningful conversations about climate change.
- Use information to drive personal climate action.
- SPIRaL scholars will conduct interviews with fellow students to understand their perspectives on productive discourse, the role of evidence in climate conversations, and how information shapes their activism.
- Year-long undergraduate research program
- Earn academic credit: ILS 335 (2 credits, fall) & ILS 336 (1 credit, spring)
- In-person research meetings (T/TH 1:20–2:20 pm)
- Guidance from faculty mentors in the Institute for Information Literacy
- Opportunities to present or publish research findings
- Undergraduates graduating May 2026 or later
- Interested in research and information challenges
- Available 6-8 hours per week for SPIRaL activities
- Collaborative, proactive, and committed to shared decision-making
- Second- or third-year students preferred, but not required
How to Apply
Submit your online application by March 26. Accepted applicants will be notified in early April.
For questions, contact Rachel Fundator rfundato@purdue.edu.