Faculty Research Fellows Program Information Heading link

The Student Affairs Faculty Research Fellows Program allows faculty to conduct a research project to address important questions concerning Student Affairs at UIC. Faculty Fellows will identify important research questions relevant to UIC Student Affairs and answer those questions during a year-long fellowship program.

Program Details

Using a variety of methods, Fellows will engage in a research study on a topic related to areas of concerns in Student Affairs. The expected outcome of the program is for Fellows to identify ways to improve the programs, initiatives, and policies of Student Affairs at UIC and assist in the implementation to facilitate change based on research findings.

Fellows will participate in a campus-wide symposium hosted by Student Affairs describing their findings. Fellows will also prepare a research report that can be disseminated to the campus community, including on the Student Affairs webpage . In addition, Fellows will be encouraged to disseminate their findings through conference presentations and scholarly publications.

Types of Projects

Faculty Fellows will engage in scholarly research on topics related to Student Affairs at UIC in areas such as mental health, food and housing insecurities, student engagement and development, student support, veteran students, co-curricular student learning, and career development. Other research projects related to topics in Student Affairs are also welcome.

Fellows will analyze data to address Student Affairs topics at the program, initiative, or policy level. Projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion are particularly welcome.

Both quantitative and qualitative projects are welcome.

Selection Process

There will be two Faculty Fellows selected for the program (2024-2025 academic year). A committee consisting of the Assistant Vice Chancellor, another member of the Executive Leadership Team, one other Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs staff, and a campus faculty member will review applications and decide whom to fund. Applications will be judged based on feasibility, impact, and expertise. The program aims to include faculty from a variety of disciplines.

Resources

Selected Fellows will receive up to $25,000. Funds for a course buy-out or summer salary are allowed, as well as research-related expenses. The course buy-out must occur during the year in which the faculty member serves as a Fellow. Research-related expenses can include software, conference-travel, graduate research assistance, etc. Fellows are responsible for having their budgets approved by the department business managers to ensure all costs are included and allowed.

As needed, Fellows will also receive data support from Student Affairs staff. This data support can include accessing local data sets, creating databases from institutional data, consultation on institutional data, etc. It is not the intention of the support to provide statistical training.

Funding will not be provided to the Fellow until IRB approval has been secured, as appropriate. It is highly recommended that IRB approval is sought prior to the kick-off meeting with the Fellows.

Timeline

  • July 29, 2024: Program is announced, and applications are solicited
  • September 20, 2024: Program applications are due.
  • October 21, 2024: Faculty Fellows are notified.
  • January 2025: Kick-off meeting with Fellows.
  • November 2025: Campus presentation.
  • December 2025: Fellowship ends.

It is strongly recommended that faculty secure IRB approval prior to the January 2025 kick-off meeting.

Questions? Contact Negar Mansourian-Hadavi, nmhadavi@uic.edu.