Diversity & Outreach

Summer Doctoral Research Institute

June 23 – August 15,  2008

Program Overview

The SDRI is an eight-week accelerated research summer program funded by the National Science Foundation’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (NSF AGEP) for newly admitted UCSB doctoral students in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This program provides students with the opportunity to begin a course of research prior to fall quarter enrollment. In addition to advance introduction to their respective programs and the campus culture of UC Santa Barbara, SDRI scholars enjoy the benefits of early exposure to a professional academic environment.

SDRI scholars gain a greater understanding of institutional culture and departmental expectations. Participants receive hands-on mentoring and training that sharpens their research skills and develops disciplinary fluency. Mentorship and a summer workshop series provide solid grounding in research methodology, proposal wri ting, and presentation skills, and prepare SDRI scholars to meet and exceed the rigorous demands of graduate study.

SDRI is administered by the Graduate Division and jointly sponsored by the College of Mathematics, Life, and Physical Sciences MLPS) and the College of Engineering.

SDRI is designed to support newly admitted doctoral graduate students in
their academic success and professional development. SDRI programs include a research agenda, professional development workshops, and opportunities for networking with potential mentors and colleagues within and across disciplines. One of the main objectives of the institute is to assist fellows in acclimating to the UCSB campus and their respective departments.

Program Benefits

1. Networking and scholarly activities
2. Familiarization with UCSB campus resources
3. Introduction to UCSB’s Graduate Division and its administrators
4. $2,500 and food stipend
5. Room for the duration of the program

Program Activities

•Through your department you will receive an introduction to various methods of approaching research and the research design process; this segment also includes expanded literature searches and technical research development
• Scientific and technical writing: reports, proposals, research, funding, and other scientificcommunications
•Skill development in weekly seminars

Seminar Topics

• Funding your research
• Effective grant writing
• Publishing and presenting research
• Research ethics
• Choosing a research advisor
• Campus support networks and faculty mentoring
• Individual research presentations

Nominee Requirements

• Meet NSF definition of populations under-represented in STEM disciplines:
African American, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Latina/o or Native Pacific Islander
• Admission to a UCSB doctoral graduate program of study by April 15, 2008
• A letter of nomination from the admitting department
• Completion and submission of an SDRI application

Participant Requirements

• Participate in all activities under the auspices of the SDRI program
• Meet regularly with faculty mentors and departmental advisors
• Attend workshops
• Work closely with UCSB Graduate Diversity coordinators
• Develop the necessary skills for a successful graduate experience in your
discipline at UCSB
• Interact with colleagues across various disciplines

For more information contact:

The Office of Diversity, Recruitment, and Retention
Graduate Division
UC Santa Barbara
1215 Student Resource Building
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2070
email:    diversity@graddiv.ucsb.edu

T: 805.893.8994
F: 805.893.4932
www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/diversityoutreach