Open Opportunities in Academic Year 2025-26

Timothy O'Neil — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 05:20:00 +0000

Open Opportunities in Academic Year 2025-26 Timothy O'Neil Thu, 04/24/2025 - 23:20

Storytelling and Ways of Knowing: Curating a digital and in-person exhibit

Contact: Suzanne Magnanini, suzanne.magnanini@colorado.edu

Interested in fantasy literature? Love rare books? Curious about digital humanities and creating museum exhibits? Wonder how fairy tales, legends, and myths spread or critique scientific knowledge? Join Team Fairy Tale! We are looking for students who will collaborate with us in creating an exhibit on storytelling and ways of knowing in Norlin Library Rare and Distinctive Collections, CU Art Museum, and CU Natural History Museum. You'll work with curators from each space to develop the overarching plan for the exhibit, while focusing on creating the exhibit of fairy tale materials in Norlin Library.

Voices for Territory: Supporting Colombian Land Defenders through Digital Humanities Research

Contact: Zannah Matson, zannah.matson@colorado.edu

This project works to organize and analyze interviews with prominent Afro Colombian and Indigenous social leaders within their territories and develop a website to share these materials with a wide public audience in a creative and immersive way. The goals of this project are twofold: firstly, to make visible the struggles for territory within marginalized Colombian communities, and secondly to understand these struggles and interventions as territorial knowledge production that demonstrate how contestation over territory is entwined with the fight for economic and racial justice in Colombia. Working with materials and an interdisciplinary project team in both Spanish and English, through this opportunity you will gain valuable skills in interviewing, interview transcription, and translation. Undergraduate research will further focus on the development of audio-visual materials, illustration, and maps that will form the basis of a public project website to share collected interviews and data with a wide audience.

Hindsight Creative Nonfiction

Contact: Jay Ellis, jay.ellis@colorado.edu

As a CU Undergraduate student, you can join the Hindsight staff and earn credit hours. Upperclassmen can take the practicum course WRTG 3095-001 for three credit hours. For underclassmen or those who can't attend the practicum time, you can take a one to three credit hour, upper or lower-division internship, provided you have at least 30 completed credit hours. We also offer volunteer positions for Graduate students and undergraduates who can't take WRTG 3095-001 or an internship. If you're interested in joining staff, add WRTG 3095-001 Journal Publishing to your course schedule or reach out to faculty advisor Dr. Jay Ellis (Jay.Ellis@colorado.edu) for information on taking an internship. See a video about what it’s like to be on staff on our website—and read our journal to see what you’ll help publish.

2025 Senior Showcase Experience

Contact: Tamara Meneghini, meneghit@colorado.edu

The Senior Showcase Experience is a unique cumulative experience for those students completing the BFA/Acting, BFA/Musical Theatre, BA/Theatre, or BM/Musical Theatre degree programs. Over the past several years the program has evolved from a showcase-focused project to a project that requires students to envision themselves as working professionals in live theatre, television, film and beyond. Due to the nature of attaining a degree in Liberal Arts from a research university, students are guided to consider the intersection and integration of a degree not only in performance, but of their total experience in Arts, Sciences, Theatre, Dance and Music. The course, is truly an experience in which the student gets out of it what they put into it and it paves a clearer path towards their future.

The Middle School Ensembles Program

Contact: David Rickels, david.rickels@colorado.edu

The CU Middle School Ensembles (MSE) program is a collaborative experience designed for middle school music students and Music Education majors from the 91��. This program strengthens the teaching opportunities for future music educators while providing a supplemental musical experience to local school music programs. The program includes full group rehearsals in band or orchestra, along with sectional instruction, and elements of comprehensive musicianship (music theory, improvisation, and composition). All rehearsals, sectionals, and activities will be conducted by college students supervised by faculty advisors and graduate assistants as mentors.

Impact Playback: Empowering Students & Communities through Engaged Theatre

Contact: James Walker, walkerjf@colorado.edu

91��'s IMPACT PLAYBACK Theatre Ensemble offers paid internship opportunities for undergraduate students of all majors and backgrounds (no experience necessary) to learn and practice applied theatre forms to promote dialogue and understanding among communities across the state. Background or strong interest in justice and equity issues highly valued. Non-performing positions also available for students with demonstrated skills in organization and event planning; graphic design, marketing and communication (including social media); and/or budgeting/accounting. Interested performers receive training in forms of applied theater which boost skills of listening, empathy, spontaneity, collaboration and trust.

Experimental Investigation of Fluid Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Films and Filaments

Contact: Joseph Maclennan, jem@colorado.edu

Ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals are an elusive phase of matter predicted a century ago but only recently identified at 91��. These materials are fundamentally different from the conventional nematic liquid crystals currently used in liquid crystal displays, responding much faster to applied voltages and exhibiting a wealth of exotic structures and phases. The discovery of these materials has provided exciting opportunities for undergraduate students to perform hands-on, cutting-edge research in our laboratory, working with graduate students and post-docs to set up and perform a range of experiments to investigate the fundamental optical and electro-mechanical properties of ferroelectric nematics and explore their potential for novel, real-world applications. Participants in this collaborative research project will learn how to use optical microscopy and X-ray scattering techniques to observe, characterize, and interpret the appearance and behavior of ferroelectric nematic materials prepared as extremely thin films and microscopic filaments.

Give Us the Camera! : An Open Access Digital Humanities Publication on Equity in Media Arts

Contact: Laura Conway, conwaylr@colorado.edu

Are you passionate about cinema, photography, anime, or the media arts? Are you committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry? Join GUT-C!, a student-led initiative at 91�� focused on creating equitable and inclusive media practices. This project will allow you to develop digital content, host workshops, and collaborate with industry professionals, all while contributing to an open-access digital publication. As part of the team, you'll gain hands-on experience in media production, community-building, and leadership while shaping the future of the media arts!

Climate Change Risk: A documentation of Rosetta's Cultural Heritage, Egypt.

Contact: Azza Kamal, Azza.Kamal@colorado.edu

The Rosetta city is where the [Rosetta Stone] was discovered in 1799 in Egypt. Students will be engaged in digital mapping and sketching of historic houses using online archival data will be trained on using ArcGIS Pro, 3D digital modeling, StoryMap, and sketching, used by preservation specialists. Students are not required to have prior experience but preferably have a passion for learning and engaging in teamwork for professional real-world project. By working on this UROP project, students will gain technical and professional documentation and sketching skills applied in digital humanities, preservation, and architecture projects. They will be able to take this knowledge and apply it to their future internship or job in the industry. Students training will be compensated with a $1,500 stipend paid in two installments over the academic year (Fall 2025 to Spring 2026). Underrepresented students are highly encouraged to apply.

Social Networks and Student Outcomes in Residential Field Courses

Contact: Lisa Corwin, lisa.corwin@colorado.edu

Join our research team to explore how student connections shape learning experiences in residential field courses! This project uses social network analysis (SNA) to study how peer interactions influence engagement and academic success. Undergraduate researchers will gain hands-on experience in survey design, data collection, transcription, and network analysis using R. No prior experience is required—training will be provided in data management, visualization, and social science research methods. This is a great opportunity for students interested in educational research, science communication, and data analysis. Team members will contribute to an ongoing study, with opportunities to present findings and co-author publications. Work will involve field data collection in the summer and data analysis in the fall, offering flexibility for students with different schedules.

Private Choices, Public Goals: Exploring Parents’ Experiences with Open Enrollment

Contact: Terri Wilson, terri.wilson@colorado.edu

Are you interested in education policy? Join a team exploring how school choice policies might better promote equity. Research shows that choice policies often advantage families with more education, income, and resources. Yet, certain policy design features can also mitigate these risks. In this publicly engaged research project, you will work with a collaborative team to study the choices and experiences of parents who have participated in open enrollment in a local school district. Gain experience with mixed methods research (including enrollment data, marketing materials survey results and interviews) and participate in collaborative data analysis and analytic writing. Students will potentially be able to help present our research at an academic conference in late spring 2026. This research opportunity runs from September 2025-April 2026. It will involve approximately 5 hours of time commitment each week (10 weeks in fall, 10 weeks in spring) and will include a stipend of $1500.

Encouraging broader participation in eye-tracking research

Contact: Joshua Correll, joshua.correll@colorado.edu

Join our research team to investigate visual attention patterns and cross-category recognition deficits (CRD) using cutting-edge eye-tracking technology! This project explores the mechanisms underlying social and perceptual biases in face recognition, with practical applications in law enforcement and eyewitness identification. As a research assistant, you will gain hands-on experience with experimental design, eye-tracking software, participant recruitment, and data analysis. You’ll develop valuable skills in cognitive and social psychology research, preparing you for graduate programs or careers in research-intensive fields. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, feel empowered to contribute meaningfully. Team members will have the opportunity to co-author publications, present findings at conferences, and collaborate on a project with real-world impact. No prior research experience is required—just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! Join us and make a meaningful contribution to advancing social psychology research.

Evaluating comprehension of complex tridimensional systems such as recycling using 3d models with stakeholders, The case of the city of 91��.

Contact: Valeria Henao, valeria.henao@colorado.edu

Are you interested in sustainability, recycling processes, and hands-on research? Join our CEDaR team to explore innovative ways to improve recycling education and stakeholder engagement. Students will receive hands-on training in survey mapping, computer modeling, and 3D visualization to document and analyze recycling facility workflows. Through this project, you will contribute to the creation of a computer simulation and a physical 3D model that will help stakeholders better understand recycling processes. The research will assess how these tools can enhance public awareness and engagement with sustainability practices. Research opportunities will span from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026. The project aims to develop an interactive methodology that can be replicated to educate communities, policymakers, and industry professionals on recycling efficiency and best practices.

The Effect of Speech Practice on Word Learning in English-Speaking Monolinguals Across Multiple Languages

Contact: Pui Fong Kan, puifong.kan@colorado.edu

This project offers undergraduate students hands-on experience, focusing on word learning across multiple languages. Students will gain skills in data collection, data analysis, and scientific communication. They will also have opportunities for co-authorship on conference presentations and publications. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in speech, language, and hearing sciences, linguistics, and cognitive science.

Investigation of the Conceptual Foundations of Early Number Development (Lab Site: Language, Development, and Cognitive Lab)

Contact: Bhuvana Narasimhan, narasimb@colorado.edu

The Language, Development, and Cognitive Lab (Linguistics Department) has opportunities for 2-3 undergraduate students to participate in research on children’s early number knowledge. You will work with other students as team to investigate how children perform on various experimental tasks that assess their numerical abilities. You will also learn how to analyze the data you collect in order to generate findings about children’s linguistic and conceptual knowledge. We are looking for highly motivated and hard-working students who are interested in getting involved in child language acquisition research. Prior experience in experimental research is not required since we will provide training on all aspects of the running the study.

TRANScending Family: Management of Identity and Moral Dilemmas through Talk among Transgender Participants Discussing Religious Family in a Gender-Diverse Community Brunch Space

Contact: Natasha Shrikant, natasha.shrikant@colorado.edu

Ever taken COMM2400, LING2400, LING2500, or any other discourse analysis or conversation analysis-focused class? Interested in how talk constructs gendered, religious, and family identities and can navigate moral dilemmas? Join this small research team conducting focus groups designed to feel like queer brunches where transgender and gender-diverse people can discuss how their experiences with religious families influence their current lives, families, and journeys to self-recognition. You’ll receive research training and one-on-one mentorship from a genderqueer discourse analysis scholar. You’ll have the opportunity to help facilitate a focus group, gain valuable skills in technical audio transcription and discourse analysis methods, and contribute your own intersectional perspective to analysis considerations. Learn more about yourself, your community, and the ways we continue navigating a world that often seems in tension with who we are – all while helping generate knowledge about how we use talk strategies to manage identity-related dilemmas in everyday interactions.

The effects of species interactions on social and movement behavior in bicolor damselfish on Caribbean coral reefs

Contact: Joshua Manning, joshua.manning@colorado.edu

Ever wondered what it’s like to study coral reef fishes? Are you interested in honing your skills using cutting-edge software to gain scientific insights? If so, we are looking for you! Join our research team to study highly social bicolor damselfish on Caribbean coral reefs. As these small fish move around and forage, they must compete with much larger species intruding on their territories. How do they trade-off defending their coral homes while avoiding predators? Could their competitors ally with predators to exploit their territory? You will dive into these questions by watching videos of coral reefs and analyzing reef fish behavior. This project offers opportunities to learn analytical techniques and new software platforms, collaborate internationally, and communicate and publish scientific research. If you’re interested, please do not hesitate to reach out! Our lab has a vibrant community of students and scientists and will happily welcome new additions.

Designing Neuro-Inclusive Campuses: Mapping Sensory and Social Barriers

Contact: Elena Sabinson, elsa7501@colorado.edu

Are you interested in design, social science research, and accessibility? Join a research team at 91�� focused on improving campus spaces for neurodivergent individuals.

As a paid undergraduate research assistant, you will:

Conduct behavioral observations and sensory mapping of the 91�� campus
Analyze design ambiguities and social norms affecting accessibility
Develop interactive maps and design guidelines for neuro-inclusive spaces
Gain experience in human-subjects research, data visualization, and collaborative design

This opportunity is open to students across disciplines—no prior research experience is required. We value passion, curiosity, and a commitment to accessibility over traditional academic metrics. Neurodivergent students are encouraged to apply; no formal diagnosis is required.

Online GIS Mapping of Global Temperature Changes, Climate Regions, and Natural Materials for Accessible, Local and Sustainable Building

Contact: Caitlin Charlet, caitlin.charlet@colorado.edu

This project provides an exciting opportunity for undergraduate students to engage in cutting-edge research at the intersection of climate science, GIS mapping, and sustainable construction. Students will gain hands-on experience in data analysis, predictive modeling, and the design of interactive online platforms while contributing to a publicly accessible tool for architects, builders, and policymakers. Through mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, participants will develop technical skills in GIS, climate modeling, and digital visualization, preparing them for careers in environmental science, urban planning, or sustainable design. Additionally, students will have the chance to present their findings at conferences and co-author academic publications. This experience will not only strengthen their research capabilities but also position them as future leaders in climate-responsive design and ecological innovation. By participating in this project, students will make meaningful contributions to addressing climate challenges while building critical professional and technical expertise.

Characterizing how nutritional zinc affects breast cancer cells

Contact: Amy Palmer, amy.palmer@colorado.edu

This project involves multiple undergrad students exploring the mechanism of why breast cancer cells hyper-proliferate in high zinc compared to normal mammary cells and why some breast cancer cell lines die in low zinc. The project will enable students to acquire skills in culturing human cells, transfecting cells with fluorescent reporters, and using fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence activated cell cytometry to analyze mechanisms of cell death and proliferation. Individual students will have the opportunity to explore a different breast cancer cell line. Students will also gain skills in maintaining lab notebooks, giving research presentation, quantitative image analysis, and error analysis.

The permanance observatory: Documenting morphological spatiotemporal occupation of informal settlements

Contact: Jota Samper, jota@colorado.edu

Join our CEDaR team for a dynamic exploration of the global impact of informal settlements on urban development. Students will engage in hands-on training, theoretical discussions, research methods, and coding protocols. Using accessible remote sensing tools, you will collect and map data to support the permanence claims of communities living in three informal settlements in Argentina. The project's goal is to prevent the eviction of thousands of families and to develop a methodology that can be replicated in other communities in Argentina and beyond. Research opportunities will be available from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026. Our aim is to contribute to the creation of multitemporal maps that support legal tenure claims for marginalized communities in Argentina.

Comparing the spatial memory abilities between two species of food-caching chickadee and across elevations in the Rocky Mountains

Contact: Scott Taylor, scott.a.taylor@colorado.edu

The Taylor Lab Chickadee Cognition Study provides undergraduates with hands-on experience in field-based evolutionary research. Through this team grant, students will assist with chickadee capture, banding, and RFID feeder maintenance across an elevational gradient, gaining firsthand insight into avian cognition and adaptation. Beyond fieldwork, students will have the opportunity to develop independent research projects related to spatial memory, analyze data, write an honors thesis, and present their findings at scientific conferences and public events. This experience is ideal for students interested in field biology, evolution, and animal behavior, offering valuable training in field methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. By participating, students will contribute to ongoing research on how environmental conditions shape cognitive abilities in birds while preparing for careers in science.

UROP invites 91�� undergraduates to join a team of students working with faculty on a wide range of projects in many majors.

To participate:

Contact project mentors directly using the email addresses included in the project descriptions. We strongly encourage you to take the time to write unique emails to each mentor—if you plan to reach out about multiple projects. Additionally, we recommend including

What interests you about the project.
All the skills/experience you bring to the project.
How the opportunity advances your academic/professional goals.
Other information requested in the project descriptions.

Note: Unless requested in the project description, mentors do NOT expect you to include a resume/CV with your email.

Summer Open Opportunities

Some projects might offer opportunities to start in the Summer term.

Issue: 2025 Summer & 2025-26 Academic Year UROP Grants

Explore funded, open opportunities mentored by 91�� faculty!

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2025 Summer & 2025-26 Academic Year UROP Grants

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