Welcome to the website for the Georgia State University Community-Soil-Air-Water (CSAW) Summer REU Program funded by The National Science Foundation Award #1156755. Our first summer program in 2012 included 16 students from around the country. Check out the Youtube video below to hear some of the program highlights from 2012 REU students. We, and our inter-disciplinary project team, are looking forward to hosting another round of outstanding undergraduate students from across the country in the Summer of 2013. As you will see throughout the website, our REU summer program will emphasize engaged, community-based research while also preparing students for future careers. As a student, if you have a passion for community-based research, a strong work ethic, an interest in living in Atlanta for 7 weeks, and a desire to learn more about all aspects of research — this is the program for you! If you are a faculty member, we encourage you to share this website with interested students and to contact us for more information about the program. By clicking on the links to the right, you can read more about our 3 research tracks, the planned activities, the application process, our community partners, and the 2012 REU experience.
The 2013 CSAW REU Site runs from Monday, June 10, 2013 through Thursday, July 25, 2013.
The 2013 CSAW REU program application deadline was Friday, March 1, 2013 at 5 PM EST. We have selected our Community Scholars this year from a pool of 232 outstanding candidates. Thank you for considering our program, and be sure to apply again in 2014.
We look forward to sharing more about the REU site with you in the near future and hope you find the website informative. Please contact us with any questions at csawreu@gsu.edu.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Timothy Hawthorne (PI) thawthorne@gsu.edu
Dr. Katherine Hankins (Co-PI) khankins@gsu.edu
Pictured left: Darryl Haddock of the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA), a community advocacy group and REU community partner, talking to 2012 REU students about sustainable farming and community relations at a visit to the Outdoor Activity Center (June 19, 2012, courtesy of Paulita Bennett-Martin, 2012 CSAW REU student).
CSAW Summer 2013 Program Description:
The Georgia State University Community-Soil-Air-Water (CSAW) Research Initiative is proud to host the Summer 2013 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site funded by The National Science Foundation Award #1156755. The REU Site: Addressing Social and Environmental Disparities through Community Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a multi-disciplinary program that brings together outstanding undergraduate students from around the country to Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA) for a 7 week intensive research program. This is the second year of our program. With an explicit focus on community geography, university-community partnerships and participatory methodologies, the research training program is the first of its kind for undergraduates in the United States. Undergraduate researchers, working in one of three research tracks, will quantitatively and qualitatively examine neighborhood change, property markets, air and soil quality, urban green spaces, and neighborhood visioning in partnership with neighborhood residents and community groups.
What Types of Students Are We Looking For?
The CSAW REU site is based on a competitive, nationwide search of highly-qualified undergraduate students. The CSAW REU site seeks students with: a deep interest in engaged, community-based research; an inquisitive and creative mindset; a willingness to work both independently and as part of a larger research team; and a desire to contribute to new directions in community geography scholarship. Previous coursework in geography, GIS and related disciplines is highly desirable, but not required. We also encourage students with skill sets in GIS, GPS, interviewing, qualitative data analysis, and/or environmental impact assessment. There is no minimum GPA requirement, but preference will be given to students with a 3.0 or higher GPA and who demonstrate significant potential and scholarly ability.
The CSAW REU site is committed to including students from all socio-demographic backgrounds, and will strive for inclusion of students from underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and first-generation college students. Each student must be an undergraduate enrolled in a college or university in the United States in the fall of 2013. Students graduating prior to the start of the REU program are not eligible to apply. As a program funded by The National Science Foundation, the student must also be a U.S. citizen.
Student Compensation:
Each REU student will receive a competitive funding package, including: a $3000 stipend for successful participation in the seven week program, up to $250 in travel support to/from Atlanta, up to $750 for conference presentations, free dorm rooms, a stipend for meals, and 3 required texts.
Student Highlights from the 2012 CSAW REU on Youtube:
Check out the 4 minute video below with testimonials from 2012 REU participants. This video was filmed and edited by Paulita Bennett-Martin (a 2012 REU student from research track 2).