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

Climate Study to examine how Purdue students:
  • 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.
Program Details
  • 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
Who Should Apply?
  • 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.

Apply