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SPIRaL trains a team of undergraduate researchers to investigate how information literacy can inform real-world solutions to contemporary information challenges, such as mis/disinformation. For the 2024-2025 academic year, SPIRaL will explore information challenges affecting the field of journalism. SPIRaL researchers will interview student journalists at Purdue and other universities about their perceptions of how information challenges, such as misinformation, affect the field of journalism and in their own journalistic practice. In SPIRaL, students are research partners who make decisions, build relationships with research mentors, and contribute to the success of future SPIRaL researchers.
To learn more about next year's research, please review the researcher position description and email Rachel Fundator at rfundato@purdue.edu, with a 1-page description of your interest in the program and a current resume.
In the 2023-24 academic year, SPIRaL will conduct original qualitative research to study how undergraduate students perceive the relationship between social media algorithms and the ways they are able to engage democratically in digital spaces. We seek to better understand various student perspectives on the role algorithmic media and algorithmic platforms may play in shaping their civic attitudes, behaviors, and lives. This research may help identify new approaches for Libraries faculty to partner with students on algorithmic literacy efforts that reflect the digital experiences of college students and that aim to empower society to engage and participate democratically in today’s information environment.
Five undergraduate students will join research mentors from the Institute for Information Literacy at Purdue to conduct this research. As partners, we will
Learn more about our research and how to apply
For any questions, please email Rachel Fundator.