This program is open to Juniors majoring in Politics, DWA, Economics or UEP and will provide a stipend for full time research on a public policy issue of importance to Los Angeles or the United States.
The program stipend will offer (1) financial support for 10 weeks of on-campus summer housing or (2) funds for research-related travel. For more information contact, Regina Freer, Politics Dept. Chair, or the URC.
Interested students should apply using the Occidental Summer Research Program process. Applications are due on January 28, 2025, by 5:00 pm. Applications open on December 9th. Visit the SRP Fellowships for the link to the application form.
If the student researcher will be traveling during the summer, then subsidized on-campus room and board will not be available, so applicants should carefully outline their travel plans or housing needs in the proposal.
If possible, fellows should present their work at the Oxy end-of-summer conference and at the fall SCCUR conference. Fellows are expected to submit an abstract to urc@oxy.edu at the conclusion of their research. Additional funds will be provided in the fellows' Senior year to permit travel for the presentation of their work in a way that attempts to influence policy. Questions about the application process can be directed to the Undergraduate Research Center.
Previous Gerken Fellows
| 2024 |
Mara Schwob, The Effect of Overdose Prevention Centers on the Fatal Overdose Rates in New York City Peter Vartanian, Energetic Endeavors: Power, Strategy, and Law in the Green Transition |
|---|---|
| 2023 |
Jennifer Baidon Carrillo, Spanish and Bilingualism in the US: A Study on New Generation Latinos Hannah Christensen, Love Thy Neighbor? Evangelicalism and US Refugee Policy for Iraq and Syria |
| 2022 |
Mary Hancock, The Effects of Rail Expansion on the Labor Market Outcomes of Disabled People Sophia Laycock, How an Increase in Childcare Burden Affects Time Use Decisions and Labor Market Outcomes of Married Mothers and Fathers: Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| 2020 |
Mia Hernandez, Miguel the Criminal, Jimena the Refugee: How an Immigrant’s Gender and Reasons for Migrating Affect Public Opinion on Immigration |
|
2019 |
Cassandra Carter, Creating an Olympic Legacy: How investment in the Games can leave an impact on affordable housing in Los Angeles |
|
2018 |
David Mariscal, Study of New Minimum Wage Law on Low-Income Workers in the City of Pasadena |
|
2016-17 |
Dayja Tillman, Domestic Violence in the Dominican Republic |
|
2015-16 |
Kevin Liu, Getting Out the Information: Informing Asian-American Voters |
|
2014-15 |
Elwyn Pratt, LAUSD Greening Spatial Analysis |
|
2012-13 |
Alana Murphy, Restorative Justice: How the Right Discipline in Schools Can Help Battle Racism |
|
2011-12 |
Mark Silva, Public Interest Law in Los Angeles Through a Rebellious Vision |
|
2010-11 |
Jacqueline Adorni, Queers in Pink Keffiyehs: The Motivations of Radical Queer Activists Christine Jones, The Effects of Teach for America on the Los Angeles Unified School District: Do You get What You Pay For? Daniel Rosales, Scandinavia and the Success of Socialism |
|
2008-09 |
Mackenzie Israel-Trummel, Disaster Politics: Assessing the Impact on Student Relief Workers in Post-Katrina New Orleans |
|
2007-08 |
Kenneth Smutny, Application of Entrepreneurial Finance to the Nonprofit Sector of the Czech Republic |
|
2006-07 |
Josephine Kalika, Russian Immigrant Artists' Success as a Function of the Relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union Emily Rasmussen, Artist Identity and Allegiance: National vs. Imagined Communities |
|
2005-06 |
Asen Hristov, Bulgaria's Euro-integration: A Crucial Factor for Stabilization and Sustained Growth |
|
2004-05 |
Maria Stoyadinova, Russia's Impact on Eastern European Transition |
|
2003-04 |
Drenusha Kusari, Immigration, Unemployment, and Optimum Currency Options: Implications for the enlargement of the European Union |
|
2002-03 |
Caspar Oswald, Contemporary Anglo-American Foreign Policy & Iraq |
|
2001-02 |
David Flores, Mental Health Services for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness |
|
2000-01 |
Bianca Karim, Women in Armed Conflict: The Story of Kosovo Matthew Tompkins, The Nature and Future of European Security Integration |
|
1999-2000 |
Justin Anderson |
|
1998-99 |
Brett Neeley |
|
1997-98 |
Eddie Jauregui |
|
1996-97 |
Toby Dalton |