FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS — Wanted: Academically talented university sophomores and juniors with an interest in both the natural and the social and behavioral sciences.
The assignment: Four weeks of paleoenvironmental and archaeological research in the Illinois and Ohio River valleys and four weeks of training in an IUPUI laboratory — with pay.
The Department of Anthropology and Department of Earth Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana Geological Survey and Department of Geological Sciences at Indiana University-Bloomington seek 10 undergraduates as research fellows for a program titled “Angel Mounds Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site: Multidisciplinary Training for Students in Environmental and Social Sciences through Archaeological Research.”
Students selected will participate in research examining the interplay among climate change, human settlement histories and agricultural impacts to landscapes over the past 2,000 years across the lower Midwestern United States. The Research Experiences for Undergraduates fellows will participate in every phase of the project, from research design and data collection to laboratory analyses, archival research and interpretation.
“While the research questions revolve around archaeological sites, regions and time periods, we encourage talented undergraduates with diverse majors and programs of study ranging from biochemistry, geology, environmental studies and biology to anthropology and geography to apply to our program,” said Jeremy J. Wilson, director of the Angel Mounds National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and an assistant professor of anthropology in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI.
“Native Americans and members of other groups underrepresented in the social sciences, humanities and STEM disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply,” Wilson said.
The project runs June 2 through Aug. 1, with a one-week break for the Fourth of July holiday. Fellows will receive a $500 weekly stipend, housing and all necessary equipment. Participants will also receive an allowance to support travel to and from the Research Experiences for Undergraduates site and to attend the Midwest Archaeological Conference in Champaign, Ill., to present their research.
The objectives of the Angel Mounds program are to:
- Provide students with field and laboratory training in archaeology, geochemistry and geophysics.
- Give students an opportunity to build cohort and professional networks that will serve them throughout their careers.
- Provide students an opportunity to participate in a project of regional and historical significance.
Applications for the summer program are available online.