Request for Applicants: DWELL Undergraduate Student Science Communication Fellowships

The Digital Writing Environments, Location, and Localization (DWELL) Lab, in collaboration with the departments of Natural Resources Science (NRS) and Professional & Public Writing (WRT), invites undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Rhode Island to apply for the Richard S. Wilkes DWELL Undergraduate Student Science Communication Fellowships. The goal of this fellowship is to promote undergraduate research into public science communication and scientific literacy.

Who Should Apply?

Undergraduate students at the University of Rhode Island who are interested in science communication and who wish to gain experience in communicating science to public audiences. DWELL is especially interested in recognizing the work of students who are interested in using digital media and/or who seek to engage local-communities with their work. Applicants should make clear how their work intersects with science communication, addressing both the scientific and communicative elements of their work.

About the Award

Each year, the DWELL Awards Committee will select up to two students for the fellowship program. Each student will be provided with a $500 award and invited to become DWELL Lab Affiliates. Awards are meant to recognize students who engage with science communication in their academic and professional work. Towards the end of the award period, students will compose a reflection post that will be shared on the DWELL News Page. 

Organization of the Application Proposal

Applicants should submit the following items as separate .PDFs in their proposal:

1. Cover Sheet: Include applicant name(s), institutional status (year and major in undergraduate program), and contact information. Following the cover sheet, all other documents in the application should be completely anonymized for review. 
2. Personal Statement: In 250-500 words, discuss your interest in science communication and your previous experiences with science and science communication activities or initiatives. How do you think the science communication skills you have learned will impact your future career or academic plans? What are the areas where you wish to seek improvement in the coming years? What science and communication skills will you bring to the fellowship? How will the fellowship positively impact your academic or professional career plans?
3. Resume: Include a 1-2 page resume, emphasizing any science/communication experience.
4. Writing Sample: Include a brief writing sample (2-5 pages)  that showcases your communication skills. If it is excerpted from a longer piece, you may include a brief contextual description. The subject of the paper does not need to be about a scientific topic or science communication (though you are welcome to use a paper on these topics). Rather, the goal is to demonstrate your skills as a writer and communicator. 

Fellowship Recipient Requirements

Any additional publications or presentations resulting from the funding should acknowledge support for the related project. Students are asked to submit a brief (250-500 word) reflection towards the end of the fellowship period (or within 12 months of award receipt) to be showcased on the DWELL Lab website.

Guidance and Questions

The DWELL Awards committee encourages applicants to contact them to discuss applications prior to the deadline. Please contact Dr. Madison Jones (madisonjones@uri.edu) if you wish to discuss your application. 

Application Procedures 

Proposals are to be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on March 1 for full consideration. Email applications as a series of PDF attachments to madisonjones@uri.edu with the subject line “DWELL SciComm Fellow Application.” Decisions will be announced by April 1.

Eligibility

Applicants must be currently enrolled as undergraduate students at the University of Rhode Island. Applicants may submit only one research proposal per award cycle, and students who have previously received funding from this fellowship are not eligible for a second application.