2023-24 Self-Designed Research Assistantships with the Bill Lane Center for the American West
Overview
The Bill Lane Center for the American West offers on-campus research opportunities for Stanford undergraduates to work with faculty on topics related to Western land and life in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Center's vision of the West extends from San Francisco Bay to the fabled 100th meridian, from Western Canada to all of Mexico and outward to the Pacific world. The Center supports research, teaching and reporting about Western land and life through three broad areas: history, arts, and culture; energy and environment; and Western governance and policy.
As a hub for research and expertise about the American West, the Center seeks to provide helpful tools, reporting and research to leaders who make decisions that impact California and the American West. In addition to supporting sound policymaking, it also strives to showcase the art, history and culture of the West to preserve and foster appreciation for the region’s uniqueness.
The Bill Lane Center prides itself on being an academic home for Stanford undergraduates. The Bill Lane Center's research assistants pursue original research with faculty, working full-time for 35+ hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks during the summer. For certain organized research projects, we also offer part-time research assistantships during the academic year.
Through the Center’s Research Program, undergraduate students undertake a defined project with mentorship from a faculty member. Students meet regularly with their mentor(s) to discuss research goals and plans. The Center also organizes regular gatherings among its summer research students to foster community. Summer research students present their results during the Bill Lane Center’s seminar series on the American West during fall quarter.
This article provides an overview of research undertaken in Summer 2023. Several Summer 2023 research students posted to the Center’s Out West Student Blog, sharing their experiences.
This opportunity solicits proposals for self-designed research projects from undergraduate students on topics related to the American West.
The Bill Lane Center is also soliciting applications to work on research projects organized by the Center, which typically focus on environmental policy and governance. To learn more and apply for these organized research opportunities, please see this opportunity on SOLO (open until April 1, but please apply by February 18 for full consideration).
Research Topics for Self-Designed Projects
The Center primarily supports research related to history, arts, and culture of the West; energy and environment; and Western governance and policy. However, proposals on all topics related to the American West are welcome (read more here about how the Bill Lane Center defines the West). Last year, self-designed projects focused on poetry of the Colorado Rockies, history of Asian-American theater in the West, a comparative analysis of approaches to policy evaluation in California and Australia, and more.
In 2024, special funding is available for projects related to arts and culture in the West. The Center’s previous ArtsWest programming is being revitalized and we are seeking to support several undergraduate students in Summer 2023 who will focus on arts-related projects. Please submit your application through this self-designed project application.
How to Propose a Self-Designed Project
Below are the elements you will be asked to provide in your application. If you have questions as you prepare your proposed project, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Center’s research manager, Esther Conrad (esther@stanford.edu).
- A summary of the proposed research project: please describe in as much detail as possible the project you hope to accomplish. Please be specific about your research goals, and realistic about what you can achieve within the timeline of a 10-week full time commitment during the summer. How will your research contribute to knowledge about your topic of choice? What research question will you focus on and what methods will you use? What output do you plan to produce?
- A cover letter: please describe why you are interested in pursuing this research project. How does it relate to your academic interests, and how will it help further your academic and/or professional career?
- Your resume and unofficial transcript
- The name/names of potential faculty mentors for this project. Mentors must meet VPUE’s mentor eligibility guidelines. If you have not yet identified a mentor, please describe the type of supervision you think you will need and the Bill Lane Center may be able to help identify an appropriate mentor.
After reviewing your application, the Center’s research manager will reach out to discuss your proposal. In some cases, we are able to offer input on potential faculty mentors, and/or ways to refine your research proposal. It often takes some back and forth to refine proposals and identify appropriate faculty mentors. Although the application deadline is April 1, the earlier you connect with us the better!
Undergraduate students from all years and disciplines are encouraged to apply. Coterm students who are paying undergraduate tuition in Spring 2024 are also eligible. Eligibility for this program follows VPUE's student research eligibility guidelines. Please review these eligibility requirements in detail before applying. In particular, please note:
- Student athletes should confirm the impact of any awarded stipend on their athletic eligibility by contacting the Compliance Services Office prior to committing to a research project.
- Stipends, prizes, or awards paid to undergraduate students who are receiving other forms of financial aid for any purpose are a form of financial assistance and may require adjustment to a student's scholarship eligibility, and/or adjustment to their overall cost of attendance. The Financial Aid Office has the responsibility to determine whether adjustments are necessary and it's the individual responsibility of the student to contact the Financial Aid Office about the impact of their grant to their overall cost of attendance.
In addition, students participating in the Center’s summer research program are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, research position, job, or volunteer opportunity (whether funded by Stanford or otherwise).
Requirements and Stipend for Summer 2024 full time research roles:
- Work 35+ hours/week for 10 consecutive weeks, beginning in late June or early July, 2024.
- Participate in weekly meetings with the faculty mentor and/or the Center’s research manager
- All research students will present their research findings during the Center’s American West Seminar Series in Fall 2024
- Participate in cohort gatherings whenever possible.
- Complete an evaluation at the end of the program
- Stipend: $7500, plus up to $1500 supplemental stipend based on financial aid status.
