Beginning in the fall of 2013, the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute (DCII) will be sponsoring six undergraduate "Robert Mayer Interdisciplinary Research Fellows". We are now soliciting proposals. Successful students will become undergraduate fellows of the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute for the AY2013-2014.
Students who would like to apply need to have completed at least 60 credit hours by the end of the spring semester of 2013 and be full time students during the AY2013-14. They need to have a double major or a major and a minor(s) and at least one of these majors/minors must be in Dedman College. Students interested in the Mayer Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship should submit a proposal (1-2 pages) that outlines a substantial and significant research project that will combine and integrate the perspectives of their major(s)/minor(s) and hence be interdisciplinary (see further details below). They also need to identify two faculty mentors from different disciplines (presumably the disciplines of their major(s)/minor(s) who are willing to act as supervisors on the project and with whom they will work during the fellowship year. Each faculty mentor will receive a small honorarium for their time working with the student. Mayer Interdisciplinary Fellows will have access to $1500 to use for research travel (it can be used during the summer of 2013 or any time during the AY2013-14) or for other expenses related to the development and completion of their research project. There will also be funding available for the student to attend an appropriate scholarly conference to present their work and/or to interact with others working in their field(s).
Ideally students will enroll in an independent study in one of their major/minor fields to allow time for them to work on their project. Their activities as a fellow will result in a major research paper the parameters of which will be determined in consultation with the faculty mentors. During the spring semester Robert Mayer Interdisciplinary Research Fellows will be required to present their work at a Mayer Fellows Symposium to which all fellows, faculty mentors, and other members of the SMU community will be invited.
Proposals should be submitted to Caroline B. Brettell (cbrettel@smu.edu) by March 28, 2013. Students who have questions about the preparations of their proposals should contact Dr. Brettell.
Application Checklist
Application