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 February 1, 2023, by 5:00 pm via the URC Summer Research Program 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

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

Contact Undergraduate Research Center
Library

2nd floor, Old Wing, Room 253A