Welcome to the 2024 Summer Research Program! Below, you will find important information about SRP events, as well as highlights profiling some of our student researchers.
The 2024 SRP program runs from May 28 to August 2, with an all-day conference scheduled for Wednesday, July 31.
Check in every week to find important information on the workshops, fun events, and upcoming deadlines for each week below.
Welcome to Occidental College’s 2024 Summer Research Program! Note the following important dates:
Tuesday, June 4, 11:00 am; Choi Auditorium
“Crash Course on Humanities/Social Science Research”
Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)
Description: Research fundamentals and some advanced tips.
Intended audience: All humanities & social sciences students looking for more details beyond an introduction to research or who want a refresher.
Wednesday, June 5, 2:00 pm; Choi Auditorium
“Intro to Research in Special Collections and Archives”
Helena de Lemos (Special Collections Instruction & Research Librarian) and Alanna Quan (Archivist)
Description: Preparing to use Primary Sources in your research: Learn what’s different about researching archival materials, why special collections can be peculiar, how to time and plan your research, and take crucial notes for your citations.
Intended audience: All disciplines, All years, especially those with no prior experience in special collections or archives (or who have never visited SCCA before!)
Thursday, June 6, Noon: Luncheon is *Grab & Go* Pick up in front of Library.
Contact your Peer Mentors about the location of your meeting.
Friday, June 7, 10:00 am; Choi Auditorium
“Advanced Science Research”
Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)
Description: Identify article databases that are most relevant for your research, how to find full text, how to find an article from a reference and more!
Intended audience: All science disciplines, some experience with searching for research resources.
Monday, June 10, 10:30 am; Sycamore Glen
Morning Coffee Break
Wednesday, June 12, 10:00 am; Choi Auditorium
"Literature Review"
Sarah Parramore (Director, Teaching, Learning, and Research Support; Interim Director Special Collections and College Archives) & Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)
Description: Strategies for organizing and synthesizing a strong lit review.
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Thursday, June 13, 12:00 pm: Academic Quad
Area Group Meeting
Monday, June 17, 10:30 am; Sycamore Glen
Morning Coffee Break
Tuesday, June 18, 10:00 am; Choi Auditorium
"How to Read a Research Article"
Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian) & Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)
Description: Strategies for getting the information you need from a research article and how to understand the data presented.
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Wednesday, June 19
Holiday, Juneteenth
Thursday, June 20, 12:00 pm; Academic Quad
Area Group Meeting
Monday, June 24, 10:30 am; Sycamore Glen
Morning Coffee Break
Wednesday, June 26, 11:00 am; Choi Auditorium
"Revising Your Project"
Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian), Alanna Quan (Archivist) & Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)
Description: Feeling stuck? Have too many sources and ideas and don’t know what to do next? We’ll go over some strategies for evaluating where you’re at and moving forward towards the finish line!
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years, especially anyone who hasn't completed larger research projects before.
Thursday, June 27, 12:00 pm; Academic Quad
Area Group Meeting
Monday, July 1, 10:30 am; Sycamore Glen
Morning Coffee Break
Tuesday, July 2, 11:00 am; Choi Auditorium
"More School? Thinking About What Comes Next"
Clair Morrissey (URC Faculty Director, Professor of Philosophy)
Description: An intro to exploring graduate and professional schools as a next career step.
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Thursday, July 4
Holiday, Independance Day
No Area Group Meeting
Monday, July 8, 10:30 am; Sycamore Glen
Morning Coffee Break
Tuesday, July 9, 11:00 am; Choi Auditorium
"Writing an Abstract"
Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian) & Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)
Description: How to write an informative and concise abstract.
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Wednesday, July 10, 12:00 pm; Choi Auditorium
"National & International Awards and Fellowships Panel"
Jennifer Locke (Director of National & International Fellowships)
Description: Panel discussion with students who have applied for fellowships.
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Thursday, July 10, 12:00 pm; Academic Quad
Area Group Meeting
Monday, July 15, 10:30 am; Sycamore Glen
Morning Coffee Break
Tuesday, July 16
11:00 am; Choi Auditorium
"Poster Presentation Style"
Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian) & Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)
Description: Best practices for science and humanities posters.
Intended audience: All disciplines, All years, doing a poster for the SRP conference.
2:00 pm; Choi Auditorium
"Dynamic Presentation Skills"
Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian) & Sarah Parramore (Director, Teaching, Learning, and Research Support; Interim Director Special Collections and College Archives)
Description: Learn best practices for presenting to an audience.
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years, doing oral presentations (not posters).
Wednesday, July 17, 11:00 am; Choi Auditorium
"The Elevator Pitch"
Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian) & Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)
Description: Learn how to describe your project succinctly and encourage others to want to learn more.
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Thursday, July 18, 12:00 pm; Sycamore Glen
Area Group Meeting
Monday, July 22, 10:30 am; Sycamore Glen
Morning Coffee Break
Tuesday, July 23, 12:00 pm; Choi Auditorium
"Reflective Writing for the SRP Final Report"
Clair Morrissey (URC Faculty Director, Professor of Philosophy)
Description: How to write a report focused on transferable skills and research accomplishments.
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Wednesday, July 24, 2:00 pm; Brown Lab, Library
"Presentation Practice and Critique"
Alanna Quan (Archivist)
Description: Limit 10
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Thursday, July 25, 12:00 pm; Academic Quad
Area Group Meeting
Friday, July 26, 10:00 am; Brown Lab, Library
"Presentation Practice and Critique"
Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)
Description: Limit 15
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Monday, July 29
No Morning Coffee Break
10:00 am; Brown Lab, Library
"Poster Practice and Critique"
Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian) & Sarah Parramore (Director, Teaching, Learning, and Research Support; Interim Director Special Collections and College Archives)
Description: Limit 15
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
2:00 pm; Brown Lab, Library
"Poster Practice and Critique"
Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian) & Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)
Description: Limit 10
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Tuesday, July 30, 10:00am; Brown Lab, Library
"Poster Practice and Critique"
Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian) & Helena de Lemos (Special Collections Instruction & Research Librarian)
Description: Limit 10
Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.
Wednesday, July 31
Summer Research Conference
2nd floor, Old Wing, Room 253A