Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Professor Doug McAdam
"Explaining Variation in Neighborhood Collective Action in Chicago, 1970-2005"
By analyzing the relationship between a host of neighborhood variables and the rate of collective "civic events" initiated by neighborhood groups between 1970-2005, we hope to better understand the dynamics of local activism. The main task to be completed during this phase of the research is the identification and coding of collective civic events for the year 2005. Students would be involved in these two tasks.
Professor McAdam is expeciting to hire one student (for 125 hours over the course of the year). Students who are interested should Email Professor McAdam.
Professor Susan Olzak (Principal Investigator)
"Do Protesters and Social Movement Organizations Influence Legislative Change Concerning the Environment?"
Do social movements matter to policy outcomes? Because of its importance, scope, and size, the environmental movement offers a compelling case for assessing which factors affect the likelihood of success and failure of environmental legislation. A key aim of this project is the development of comprehensive histories of policy proposals relevant to the environmental movement as they are introduced, debated, opposed, and voted upon in different Congressional sessions.
Student Tasks: Include preparation of chronological excel files with characteristics of various pro- and anti-environmental events that took place; preparing memos and summaries of their findings, and attending weekly research workshop meetings.
Options: Course credit (2-3 units, for approximately 5-7 hours work per week) or hourly wages (at approximately 13.00/hour, if funded).
Contact: Professor Susan Olzak (olzak@stanford.edu) to apply for research assistant position for Winter, Spring, and Summer Quarters, 2007-8.