Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media
Explore the various projects below categorized under the general theme of Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media. Be sure to return to the Barrett College Fellows Program main page and explore projects under the other 11 themes as well. You might be surprised at what you find and maybe you will discover the perfect research project for what you hope to study!
Please do not contact the research centers or faculty listed below directly (a formal application process is a required step to joining these research opportunities).
For questions about the Barrett College Fellows Program or specific research projects, please contact Dr. Sarah Graff at: BarrettCollegeFellows@exchange.asu.edu.
Research projects
Project # 4
Center name: Relationships & Technology Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Liesel Sharabi
Project description
The Relationships & Technology Lab in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication is seeking undergraduate research associates (RAs) for the 2025-2026 academic year. The lab conducts social scientific research at the intersection of interpersonal relationships and communication technologies. RAs will study modern romance in the context of dating apps, AI, and VR. RAs typically help with tasks such as lab management, participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, and/or research summaries. RAs are also expected to attend weekly lab meetings.
Special skills needed
N/A
Majors
This opportunity is most appropriate for students in the social sciences (e.g., Communication, Psychology, Sociology, Human Development & Family Studies).
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 5
Center name: Barrett
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Michael Ostling
Project description
Description: The Database aims to record all surviving data about the trials of alleged witches in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth over a three-hundred year period. It further intends to make this information publicly available in a searchable, interactive form, allowing researchers and other interested parties to sort, trace, and explore the contours of a series of trials that took the lives of at least 1000 women and men.
Responsibilities: The Database is in a late state of development. Whereas in the past we have benefited from the skills of students with a broad range of abilities (from software coding to bibliography to cartography) at this point the project needs the help of a student with strong Polish-language abilities. The student would deepen the database by finding, sorting, and translating original historical materials, placing these in appropriate database cells, and ensuring quality control through rigorous proof-reading. Student must have reading ability in Polish at the advanced, fluent, or native-speaker level, and must have a willingness to work with difficult historical materials.
Special skills needed
Polish language (reading) at advanced or native-speaker level.
Excel or other spreadsheet abilities.
Excellent writing skills.
Proofreading, copy-editing, and bibliography.
Majors
All majors
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Business and Entrepreneurship, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media
Project # 6
Center name:
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Dave Keating
Project description
This work involves a series of projects that research how people are influenced--or not--by seeing the same or very similar persuasive messages over time. For example, one specific project will test how young adults respond to repeatedly viewing TikTok videos about health or environmental topics, such as vaping or water conservation. The goal of this work is to understand how and why people's beliefs and behaviors are influenced over time.
I am looking for two students to join the research team who are interested in persuasive messages, the influence of social media content, and/or health and environmental topics. I view this as a collaboration--I have some ideas that we are going to test, but there is a lot of room for these two students to help design the specific nature of the studies, including (but not limited to) what topics we focus on, how we design the messages that people will see, and how to best reach people to participate in the research.
Special skills needed
- Quantitative Reasoning (this does *not* mean stats! but these projects are quantitative social science ones, including behavioral experiments)
- Strong/Clear Writing (my hope is that the students will be co-authors on any published work affiliated with the projects, and this will require them to write up some portions of the papers that report on the research)
Majors
- anything affiliated with social and behavioral sciences
- journalism and mass communication
- communication
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Health and Wellness, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 7
Center name: Center for Biology and Society
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jane Maienschein
Project description
The Embryo Project involves carrying out research and learning to write for a general audience, producing a cluster of articles that are reviewed and (if accepted) published in the Embryo Project Encylopedia. Research participation begins with the Embryo Project Writing Seminar, which is a structured class as a writers workshop that meets Wednesdays 3:15-5:30. We can accept up to 10 students for the course total, including graduate students and undergraduates, and we typically have 1-3 as Barrett College Fellows in fall and spring.
Special skills needed
Interest in writing about scientific ideas for a general public, willingness to learn with and from others in a writers workshop, and interest in the broad field of embryos, development, reproduction, abortion, eugenics, and related topics, and the historical and social context.
Majors
Life sciences, health sciences, communication, journalism, history, philosophy, law, policy, and many others.
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 14
Center name: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Aaron Guest
Project description
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is one of 120 Lifelong Learning Institutes in the United States. Housed in the ASU Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, OLLI at ASU engages in research pertaining to lifelong learning, adult education, and community building. We take pride in that our work is both research-inspired and research-inspiring. The incumbent for this position would assist in the OLLI Lifelong Needs Assessment and Moonshot Project.
Special skills needed
1. Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in coding, data input, and interpretation.
2. Strong Written and Oral Communication: Articulating findings, synthesizing literature, and collaborating with team members.
3. Critical Thinking: Identifying patterns, drawing inferences, and addressing gaps in data or literature.
4. Time Management: Handling multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
5. Collaboration: Working effectively in a team environment.
6. Flexibility: Adapting to evolving project needs and feedback.
7. Familiarity with literature reviews, data analysis, and surveys is beneficial.
Majors
Open to all majors, with an emphasis on Business, Social Sciences, and Health Programs
Years
2nd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Health and Wellness, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 20
Center name: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (West Valley)
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Sangmi Lee
Project description
This proposed research is about Korean ethnic return migrant students (KERMS), diasporic descendants who were born or raised abroad and have “returned” to their ancestral homeland of South Korea for their higher education. The goal of this research is to demonstrate that even among educational migrants who share the same ancestry and heritage culture with native-born students, various forms of inequality and exclusion persist in higher education that can differentially affect their sense of belonging and limit their educational success and employment opportunities. I am seeking one or two students who are interested in the topics of global education, migration, and immigrant descendants and qualitative, ethnographic research methods. Students will assist with collecting online data and sources (e.g., survey results, medial and institutional reports, etc.), finding relevant literature, and producing summaries on the collected materials.
Special skills needed
Analytical writing skills, some knowledge about research process would be good, but not required (I will advise and train students).
Majors
Education, Humanities, "Journalism, Communication and Mass Media", Social and Behavioral Sciences
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media
Project # 30
Center name: Center for Indian Education
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe
Faculty lead: Judy Kertész
Project description
The Indigenous ASU project explores and honors the rich history and enduring contributions of Indigenous faculty, students, and staff at Arizona State University. Through archival research, storytelling, and public engagement, the project seeks to preserve and amplify the legacies of Indigenous communities that have shaped ASU’s culture, academic mission, and identity.
At its core, Indigenous ASU emphasizes public history, focusing on uncovering and sharing stories that often go untold. Students will conduct in-depth archival research, examining historical documents, photographs, and records to uncover key milestones in ASU’s Indigenous history. This work will be complemented by oral history interviews with Indigenous individuals connected to ASU, capturing their personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Together, these efforts will contribute to a living archive, ensuring the preservation of these vital narratives for future generations.
The project also includes designing interactive exhibits that showcase important moments in ASU’s Indigenous history, such as the development of academic programs and cultural initiatives. Additionally, a digital archive will host multimedia resources, creating an accessible platform for educators, researchers, and the broader public.
With a cohort size of up to 10 students, the project offers a collaborative environment where participants develop practical skills in archival research, oral history, digital storytelling, and public engagement. Indigenous ASU reflects ASU’s commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and public service, ensuring Indigenous voices remain central to its mission.
Special skills needed
Students participating in the Indigenous ASU project will have the opportunity to develop a range of valuable skills while contributing to this meaningful initiative. Key skills include conducting archival research to locate, analyze, and catalog historical documents and primary sources that uncover significant moments in ASU’s Indigenous history. Participants will also gain experience in oral history, learning how to conduct respectful and ethical interviews while using recording and transcription tools to preserve personal narratives.
In addition, students will explore the art of digital storytelling by creating multimedia content and designing engaging online platforms that bring these stories to life. They will also apply principles of exhibit design, working collaboratively to develop interactive displays that effectively communicate Indigenous contributions and experiences.
A commitment to cultural sensitivity is essential, as participants will represent Indigenous voices with respect and inclusivity. Collaboration will be at the heart of the project, with students honing their ability to manage time, contribute to team efforts, and communicate effectively to meet project goals.
No prior experience is required—just an interest in Indigenous history and public history. Training and mentorship will be provided to help students build these skills and make a lasting impact through their work on the project.
Majors
History, American Indian Studies, American Studies, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and any relevant humanities and social science majors.
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 31
Center name:
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Itty Abraham
Project description
The artist Richard Serra is said to have coined the aphorism, “if the product is free, you are the product.” Although he was referring to broadcast television in the 1970s, the idea captures very well the logic underwriting our current online condition. The phrase draws attention to the ubiquity of seemingly free digital technologies in our daily lives and how they are shaping us in ways both good and bad. Yet, even as our technological lives are being transformed at breakneck speed, our political thinking seems trapped in an analog era, especially with respect to legal protections. Without going into the reasons why our rights and entitlements have not kept up with the online-offline worlds we now inhabit, it seems obvious we need a much greater degree of public awareness and transparency to protect us from the harmful effects of existing and emerging digital technologies, not least AI. With this background in mind, I am looking for two Barrett students interested in helping draft a digital bill of rights for Arizona residents and citizens.
Special skills needed
Some background in political theory, online technology, current affairs would be helpful. Ability to read and synthesize official documents. Interest in global affairs. Willingness to learn through debate and discussion
Majors
Political Science, Innovation in Society, Public Policy, Social Transformations, Justice, Rights
Years
3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 32
Center name: Humanities Institute
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Ron Brogliio
Project description
The Humanities Institute provides programming and engagement in a broad range of humanities fields ranging from philosophy and ethics to classic and speculative fiction, to art and environmental studies, and public writing. We are seeking one or more students willing to do research on and around our annual programs (for examples, see https://humanitiesinstitute.asu.edu/events). This can mean writing, providing quotations from research sources, creating photo or video montages, or other ways the student(s) would like to engage with, highlight, and enhance our robust programming. Oversight of projects is done by the Director of the Humanities Institute and our events team. Hours are flexible with primarily remote work and occasional on-sight work where possible.
Special skills needed
Project outcomes will work with student skill sets. Some possible skills: essay writing, online and library research, image creation, video recording and editing (at any skill level), social media posting (esp. Instagram).
Majors
English, Philosophy, History, Foreign Languages, Journalism, Media Studies
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 36
Center name: MSD, Space Architecture & Extreme Environments (SAEE)
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Elena Rocchi
Project description
Barrett Honors students will participate in SAEE Barrett Research programs, including:
1) Working in the labs of the Interplanetary Initiative, The Next Lab, and the Luminosity Lab, contributing to cutting-edge science, with one student per lab.
2) Engaging in supply chain management within the Business program to contribute to designing the first Starbucks in space, with one student.
3) Participating in the SAEE Barrett Global Flex program in Rome, one of the space capitals of the world, providing an ideal environment for this program and open to all.
The faculty lead is Elena Rocchi, working in collaboration with the different lab directors, program heads, and faculty abroad. By the time of application, new opportunities in labs and cities may arise, so students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with me, as the leading faculty member, to discuss available placements and opportunities in more detail.
Special skills needed
Self-Time Management; Design Capacity and Interest in Making Things; Collaboration and Teamwork; Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving; Adaptability and Flexibility; Attention to Detail; Interpersonal and Cross-Cultural Communication; Initiative and Drive; Technical Competency; Global Perspective
Majors
Architecture,
Industrial Design,
Graphic Design (for virtual simulations/technologies),
Computer Science (for virtual simulations/technologies),
Design, Arts,
Mechanical Engineering,
Civil Engineering,
Urban Planning,
Business Administration (Supply Chain Management),
Environmental Design,
Aerospace Engineering,
Biomedical Engineering (for health-related research in space),
Materials Science,
Sustainability Studies,
International Studies (for global perspectives),
Electrical Engineering (for wearable technology design),
Physics (for space science and research applications)
Years
2nd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 45
Center name: New Carbon Economy Consortium (NCEC)
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe
Faculty lead: Krista O'brien
Project description
The New Carbon Economy Consortium (NCEC) is an alliance of universities, national labs, and NGOs working in partnership with industry leaders to build a carbon-conscious world. NCEC hosts members with carbon removal solutions in Engineered Solutions, Biological Solutions, and Hybrid Solutions as well as Finance, Governance, Policy, Business, and Entrepreneurship.
The NCEC Insights project intends to educate a broad audience on cutting edge solutions in carbon sequestration, use, and storage. These solutions range from technical solutions like mechanical carbon sequestration to natural solutions such as “blue carbon” which utilizes coastal ecosystems to capture and store carbon. The Barrett Fellows will be tasked with 1) conducting research into up-and-coming carbon solutions, 2) interviewing researchers and practitioners in fields of carbon capture, use, and storage, and 3) drafting written deliverables. This project will expand students' knowledge of carbon capture concepts and allow students to develop climate communication skills, as the insights will communicate complex topics to the general public.
The faculty lead for this project is Amanda Ellis, but Krista O'brien is the secretariat and primary manager of the New Carbon Economy Consortium. NCEC falls under the Global Partnerships department within the Global Futures Laboratory.
Special skills needed
Required:
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficiency in email communication
- Self-motivated to work independently and meet deadlines in a timely manner
- An interest in climate action and carbon solutions
- Experience working on a team
Preferred:
- Understanding of various CO₂ concepts such as CO₂ sequestration, conversion, storage, and mineralization.
- Experience conducting interviews
Majors
English, Communications, Journalism, Sustainability, Engineering, Education (flexible on major if they fulfill the required & preferred skills through course work and professional experience)
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Sustainability
Project # 64
Center name: Center for Science and the Imagination
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ed Finn
Project description
The Center for Science and the Imagination is building a community climate futures project with the town of Guadalupe. Students joining this project will participate in a collaborative research program working with elders and high school students in the Guadalupe community to imagine resilient, positive futures in the face of climate change and other challenges. Activities will include designing and implementing monthly activities for community members to imagine hopeful futures and connect community heritage and history to aspirational goals for the future. Some examples of previous workshop themes include quilting and fabric arts, visual arts, cooking, music. This work draws on methodologies from the fields of design research (such as co-design and speculative design), foresight and futures (including trend analysis and worldbuilding), and the humanities (speculative fiction and personal narratives). Students will support the project through ideation and implementation, community engagement, data analysis, and sharing of research findings with the Guadalupe community and other audiences.
Special skills needed
Required: Collaboration, communication, creativity, reliability, and a sense of adventure
Interest in community-based work, futures foresight
Majors
All majors are encouraged to apply
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 74
Center name: ASU Social Media Observatory
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Bryan Henderson
Project description
This research seeks to identify trends in how students make sense of science-related information (e.g., climate change; COVID vaccinations) through social media, and then informed by these trends, design classroom interventions to support students in more critically evaluating the different ways science information is spread throughout digital social networks like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
My research team has been developing classroom activities for middle school students designed to help them think more critically about the science-related information they encounter on social media. For example, we have been developing classroom activities where students have to make sense of conflicting evidence about climate change being shared by two different hypothetical accounts on social media. These activities are being delivered to students through a classroom technology I created called Braincandy.
I would gladly welcome 1-3 Barrett College Fellows that are interested in helping further the development of these social media classroom activities and assist with pilot testing them at local schools.
Special skills needed
While all necessary skills can be trained during the research itself, some experience with digital content creation (e.g., graphic design; presentation creation; image editing) is desirable. A genuine interest in education and/or science-related issues is also a plus.
Majors
This research is at the intersection of science/technology, psychology/sociology, and education. Hence, this opportunity is relevant to many different academic majors. We seek students concerned with social media misinformation and interested in helping address the issue through the development of classroom materials that support more critical sensemaking of information shared on social media networks.
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Education, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 83
Center name: Global Center for Applied Health Research
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Flavio Marsiglia
Project description
Directed by Dr. Flavio Marsiglia, the Research Communication and Dissemination Assistant will support the Global Center by enhancing its research dissemination and public health education strategy through social media content strategy, marketing materials and reports. Ideal for a student interested in public health education, health communication, social media marketing and/or public relations.
Special skills needed
Public health communication, social media, graphic design, report writing, journalism
Majors
Graphic design, journalism, communications, public health
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Health and Wellness, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 90
Center name:
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Chelsea Reynolds
Project description
We seek two Barrett College Fellows to conduct humanistic and/or social science research focused on representations of marginalized communities and media subcultures. The fellows will advance critical media studies questions about the intersections of mass communication, race, gender, sexuality, disability, and social class.
As part of the Cronkite School’s new Center for Culture & Inclusion in Media (CCIM), the Barrett fellows will gain hands-on experience developing literature reviews, framing research questions, and empirically analyzing media texts for their political and social constructions of difference. Fellows should be familiar with qualitative research methods.
There are multiple papers currently in development: 1) a content analysis of newspaper coverage of Drag Queen Story Hour bans; 2) a grounded theory of Latinx mental health influencer content, 3) an exploratory study of LGBTQ+ gun rights discourse online; and 4) a lyrical analysis of masculinity in the Drake vs. Kendrick rap battles.
Projects will vary based on grant funding and journal calls for papers. Barrett fellows will work remotely to assist the director, affiliate faculty members, and doctoral research assistants.
The faculty mentor is the CCIM Director, Chelsea Reynolds, Ph.D. Reach out with any questions: chelsea.j.reynolds@asu.edu.
Special skills needed
- Comfortable working with and writing about subcultures and marginalized communities.
- Must show sensitivity toward difficult topics, such as race, gender, sexuality, ability status, and social class.
- Experience as a student journalist and/or experience working with qualitative data.
- Strong writer.
- Confident working remotely as part of a virtual team.
Majors
Journalism and Mass Communication; Mass Communication and Media Studies; Social and Cultural Analysis; Communication; Sociology; Gender Women & Sexuality Studies; African and African American Studies; American Indian Studies
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 91
Center name:
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Tracy Perkins
Project description
Environmental Justice Wikipedia Project: Conduct background research to identify strong source material for new articles about US environmental justice activists on Wikipedia. Student will be trained in finding and evaluating source material. Depending on student interest and ability, student may edit existing Wikipedia articles on environmental justice activists.
Environmental Justice Oral History collection: Edit transcripts of oral history interviews with environmental justice activists to prepare them for public release. Student will be trained in the editing process.
Perkins is faculty lead for all of the above. Depending on student interests and project needs, students could be assigned to either of these projects.
Special skills needed
Detail oriented
Responsible and reliable
All project skills can be taught, but familiarity with social movements, environmental justice, library sciences, racism and other forms of social inequality, oral history, literature reviews, Wikipedia and/or archiving is a plus.
Majors
Most humanities and social science degrees will be appropriate. Particularly useful degrees include: Justice Studies, Transborder Studies, American Indian Studies, Asian Pacific American Studies, African and African American Studies, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, Sociology, History and American Studies.
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 93
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking 3-4 interns to curate regionally-relevant, engaging, and educational Wikipedia articles to add to our offline digital libraries that are used around the globe. Wikipedia for Schools (WFS) is a curated selection of ~7,000 articles from the full Wikipedia article catalog that are meant to be school-friendly and support existing curriculum. The SolarSPELL initiative includes WFS as a collection of our offline, digital libraries, which are localized for the community using them. As such, further review of WFS is necessary to assess what new articles to include and what articles to (perhaps) weed out in order to be as relevant as possible to our in-country library users around the world. This project would require research into relevant supporting materials for curricula where SolarSPELL currently has libraries, including countries in the Pacific Islands, East Africa, and Southern Africa. Students proficient in Arabic may also work on the Arabic WFS for our Northeast Syria library.
Special skills needed
- Ability to conduct research
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All majors
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 94
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking students to curate regionally-relevant, open access, educational content for our Middle East library collection that is currently used in the Autonomous Region of North and East Syria (AANES). Proficiency in Arabic, Kurdish, OR Syriac is required. The Arabic collection on our digital library currently includes over 1500 resources. Students in this role will oversee the expansion and further development of the Arabic collection for use in North and East Syria and beyond. This is the first library to curate local content in three languages: Arabic, Kurdish, and Syriac. More information about our partnership with AANES can be found here: https://solarspell.org/rebuilding-education-during-conflict.
Special skills needed
- Arabic, Kurdish, or Syriac proficiency
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All majors
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 95
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Fully remote, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking enthusiastic interns with a passion for French, education, and community development to help curate culturally relevant, open-access educational content for our newest French language library, set to empower communities in West Africa. Students will work closely with the SolarSPELL team to prioritize content needs and address feedback. This opportunity allows for in-depth research on the cultural, linguistic, and educational contexts of West African / Sub-Saharan African countries, with a preliminary focus on Senegal, Cameroon, and/or Benin.
Special skills needed
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in both French and English.
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Experience with online research, document curation, or working with open access resources.
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All majors
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 99
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking a music production intern to assist in the editing and production of songs that reflect the mission and values of our global educational initiative. The final product(s) will be used in various media and outreach initiatives, enhancing our organization's branding and storytelling efforts. This role offers the unique opportunity to apply music editing skills in a meaningful way, contributing to an organization that aims to improve access to education in resource-constrained regions to children around the world.
Special skills needed
- Experience in music production, including audio editing, mixing, and mastering
- Proficiency in music production software
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently while meeting deadlines
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All majors
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 123
Center name: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts…
Campus/Location: West, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Tricia Redeker Hepner
Project description
This project engages ethnographic methods (interviewing, focus groups, observant participation) and policy-related research to document the intersection and impact of policies and practices governing gender and immigration in the US and abroad.
Special skills needed
Knowledge/grasp/appreciation of relevant conceptual literature in the social sciences and/or humanities regarding gender/gender identity/sexuality, and immigration/refugee status. Excellent oral communication and writing skills. Experience conducting, transcribing, and analyzing interviews a plus. Experience/interest in policy and legislative research also a plus.
Majors
Anthropology, Communication, Sociology, Journalism, Justice Studies, Social Justice and Human Rights, Transborder Studies, Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and related fields
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 124
Center name: This is a Barrett Dean's Fellow initiative ("Culture & Community Lab"). Our pro…
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Mathew Sandoval
Project description
The mission of this public humanities project is to document the history of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the Phoenix metro area and explain its cultural significance. We're focusing on Xicanindio (Shee-can-een-dee-oh), a multidisciplinary arts organization founded in Mesa in 1975. This collective of Chicano & Native American artists produced the first public celebration of Día de Muertos in El Valle (the Valley). Their annual festival led directly to the creation of other Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the Phoenix metro area. Our project utilizes oral history interviews and archival research to trace the historical development of Día de Muertos from the 1970s to now.
In AY 2024-2025 we will be mounting a museum exhibition at ASU's Hispanic Research Center. This will require Research Fellows to participate in curating the show, creating a website, filming & editing video, creating multimedia presentations, developing promotional materials, and other creative activities, while familiarizing themselves with the history of Day of the Dead in El Valle. Research Fellows can also expect to help perform oral history interviews with local artists, conduct research at the ASU Library and Mesa Arts Center, co-write publications, and help create media assets (documentary short & podcast).
Special skills needed
Creative skills - art, photography, film, performing arts, graphic design; Writing; Critical thinking; Research skills (primary & secondary sources); Event planning
Majors
We welcome students from all majors. However, it's important that students have an interest in Mexican American, Native American, and/or African American culture & history, since those are the communities we're researching. Students with a general interest in local Arizona culture & history are also welcome. We currently have students from History, Journalism, Engineering, Business, Medical Studies, and Biology.
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media
Project # 127
Center name: Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Keith Brown
Project description
The Melikian Center is part of the Content Advisory Group for the USS Phoenix Cold War monument and memorial, under design for the Steele Indian School park in Phoenix. Providing research, writing and other logistic support, this project seeks students with interests in Cold War history, non-profit organization, city administration, education or art and design. The project would include liaising with designers, educators, historians and technical writers to curate historical content for panels that will provide context for visitors to a new monument centered on the remains of the USS Phoenix, an attack submarine that was in service during the Cold War. For more see https://www.ussphoenixmonument.org/
Special skills needed
Interest in historical interpretation, Writing and research skills, Interest in working collaboratively, User-centered design, Interest in military history, and or memorialization
Majors
American Studies, Applied Military and Veteran Studies, Architectural Studies, Business (Tourism), Communication, English, Global Studies, History, International Relations, Military Studies, Public Policy (Parks and Recreation Management), Urban Planning, User Experience
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work) 3rd Year Students 4th Year Students- Seniors 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 128
Center name: Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies
Campus/Location: Tempe, Downtown
Faculty lead: Keith Brown
Project description
This new oral history project will document the history of the State Partnership Program (SPP), a National Guard-led program which has linked Arizona to Kazakhstan since 1993. The Arizona and Kazakhstan partnership is one of the original 13 partnerships of the program, which now includes over 100 countries. The concept for this project emerged during an Arizona delegation visit to Kazakhstan in Fall 2024, and has the support of leadership of AZ National Guard. ASU has provided cultural training and support for the Program since 2018, and this research project builds in that relationship. The goal is to produce both scholarly and public-facing products (including for example interviews and transcripts, storymaps, podcasts and blog articles, as well as a potential short book). This would be suitable for development into a Barrett honors project, and be of interest to students with interests in civil-military relations, citizen diplomacy, Central Asian politics and culture and oral history.
Special skills needed
Interest in oral history, Interview design and implementation skills, Project management, Experience with digital media recording, editing
Majors
American Studies, Russian, Applied Military and Veteran Studies, International Relations, Global Studies, History, Education, English, Communication
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24