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Group photo of the SRP 2025

We are excited to welcome the 2026 Summer Research Program cohort! Applications for this year’s program were due in early February, and selected students were invited to participate in March. Since then, participants have been preparing for their SRP experience through meetings, planning, and onboarding activities.

The 2026 Summer Research Program runs from May 26 through July 31, with the annual all-day SRP Conference taking place on July 29th. Below, you will find important information about SRP events, as well as highlights profiling some of our student researchers.

Check in every week to find important information on the workshops, fun events, and upcoming deadlines for each week below.

This page focuses on the current SRP. For information on the 2027 URC Summer Research Program and the application process, please visit the Oxy Student Research Fellowships page to explore available summer opportunities and learn how to apply!

Program Schedule

Welcome to Occidental College’s 2026 Summer Research Program! Note the following important dates:

  • The SRP will begin on Tuesday, May 26 (with on-campus move-in scheduled for the same day).
  • SRP Welcome Orientation Lunch will be on Thursday, May 28, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Attendance is expected — Welcome Orientation Meeting at Choi Auditorium (11:30 am) and lunch to follow in Cannon Plaza.
  • Mark your calendar, the SRP Research Conference will be all day on Wednesday, July 29. Participation is mandatory.

Pay dates: 

  • Friday, June 5
  • Monday, June 22: observing Juneteenth
  • Monday, July 6: observing the July 3 holiday closure
  • Friday, July 17
  • Friday, July 31

Holidays: May 25, June 19, and July 4

Newsletter 1


Thursday, May 28, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Welcome Orientation Meeting at Choi Auditorium (11:30 am) and lunch to follow in Cannon Plaza.

Attendance is expected from SRP Research Students.

Newsletter 2


Wednesday, June 3, 10:00 am: Mosher 1

"Intro to Research in Special Collections & Archives"

Helena de Lemos (Special Collections Instruction & Research Librarian)

Alanna Quan (Archivist)

Description: Preparing to use Primary Sources in your research? Learn what’s different about researching archival materials, why special collections can be peculiar, how to time and plan your research, and take crucial notes for your citations.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years, especially those with no prior experience in special collections or archives (or those who have never visited SCCA before!)


Wednesday, June 3, 11:00 pm: Mosher 1

"Advanced Science Research"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Description: Identify article databases that are most relevant for your research, how to find full text, how to find an article from a reference, and more!

Intended audience: All science disciplines; experience with research resources.


Thursday, June 4, 12:00 pm: Due to Alumni Reunion Weekend campus setup, there will be no designated lunch area this week. Luncheon will be *Grab & Go* pickup in front of the Library.

Please contact your Peer Mentors for the location of your meeting.


Friday, June 5: Payday 1

Newsletter 3


Tuesday, June 9, 12:30 pm: Choi Auditorium

"Research Ethics"

Igor Logvinenko (URC Faculty Director, Associate Professor of DWA)

All participants for the Summer Research Program are required to attend


Tuesday, June 9, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

"Literature Review"

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian) 

Description: Strategies for organizing and synthesizing a strong lit review.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Thursday, June 11, 12:00 pm: Academic QuadArea Group Meeting

Newsletter 4


Tuesday, June 16, 1:00 pm: Choi Auditorium

“Using ArcGIS StoryMaps to Showcase Your Research”  

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Description: How to use ArcGIS StoryMaps to present your research visually and interactively.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Wednesday, June 17, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

"AI Exploration"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

Description: Exploring AI tools and their applications in research.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Thursday, June 18

11:30 am: AGC Steps between Fowler and Johnson HallGroup Photo

12:00 pm: Academic QuadArea Group Meeting


Friday, June 19: Holiday,  Juneteenth


Monday, June 22: Payday 2 

Newsletter 5


Wednesday, June 24, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

“Data Visualization”  

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)

Description: How to present your data visually: tools & tips for creating and finding data visualizations and infographics. Students should bring laptops.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Thursday, June 25, 12:00 pm: Academic Quad - Area Group Meeting

Newsletter 6


Wednesday, July 1, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

“Qualtrics Workshop”  

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)

Description: Introduction to designing and deploying surveys using Qualtrics.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Thursday, July 2, 12:00 pm: Academic Quad - No Area Group Meeting Today!


Friday, July 3: Holiday, Independence Day on July 4


Monday, July 6: Payday 3 

Newsletter 7


The Library Summer Research Award for the SRP recognizes outstanding research and the effective use of library resources. To find out how to apply, click here. Submissions due by July 24 at 5 PM.


Tuesday, July 7th, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

“More School? Thinking About What Comes Next”  

Igor Logvinenko (URC Faculty Director) + Guests

Description: An intro to exploring graduate and professional schools as a next career step.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Wednesday, July 8, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

“Writing an Abstract”  

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

Description: How to write an informative and concise abstract.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Thursday, July 9, 12:00 pm: Sycamore Glen - Area Group Meeting

Newsletter 8


Tuesday, July 14, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

“National & International Awards and Fellowships”  

Jennifer Locke (Director of National & International Fellowships)

Description: Overview of awards and fellowships opportunities and process.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Wednesday, July 15, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

“How to Design a Conference Poster” 

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

Description: Best practices for science and humanities posters.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Thursday, July 16, 12:00 pm: Academic Quad - Area Group Meeting


Thursday, July 16, 1:00 pm: Brown Lab in the Library

"Get Feedback on Your Poster"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

All disciplines, all years. Posters do not have to be completed. Can present a digital copy. Spots limited to 20; sign up using the link in the newsletter. 


Friday, July 17: Payday 4 

Newsletter 9


Monday, July 20, 10:00 am: Brown Lab in the Library

"Get Feedback on Your Poster"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

All disciplines, all years. Posters do not have to be completed. Can present a digital copy. Spots limited to 20; sign up using the link in the newsletter. 


Tuesday, July 21, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

“Dynamic Presentation Skills”  

Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)

Description: Learn best practices for presenting to an audience.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years, doing oral presentations (not posters).


Wednesday, July 22, 11:00 am: Choi Auditorium

“The Elevator Pitch”  

Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)

Description: Learn how to describe your project succinctly and encourage others to want to learn more.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Wednesday, July 22, 12:00 pm: Choi Auditorium

“Reflective Writing for the SRP Final Report” 

Igor Logvinenko (URC Faculty Director)

Description: How to write a report focused on transferable skills and research accomplishments.

Intended audience: All disciplines, all years.


Wednesday, July 22, 1:00 pm: Brown Lab in the Library

"Get Feedback on Your Presentation"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

All disciplines, all years. Presentation slideshows do not have to be completed. Can present a digital copy. Spots limited to 10; sign up using the link in the newsletter. Depending on turnout, plan on practicing a small portion of your presentation.


Thursday, July 23, 12:00 pm: Academic Quad - Area Group Meeting


Thursday, July 23, 2:00 pm: Brown Lab in the Library

"Get Feedback on Your Elevator Pitch"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)

All disciplines, all years. Posters should be completed (or near complete). Bring either the printer poster or a digital copy. Spots limited to 20; sign up using the link in the newsletter. 


Friday, July 24, 11:00 am: Brown Lab in the Library

"Get Feedback on Your Presentation"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)

All disciplines, all years. Presentations should be completed (or near complete). Bring either the printer poster or a digital copy. Spots limited to 10; sign up using the link in the newsletter. Depending on turnout, plan on practicing a small portion of your presentation.


Poster Printing Appointments: Schedule an appointment at the URC to have your poster printed for free.

Newsletter 10 


Monday, July 27, 11:00 am: Brown Lab in the Library

"Practice Your Presentation"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Erin Sulla (Arts & Humanities Librarian)

Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)

All disciplines, all years. Posters and presentations should be completed (or near complete). Bring either the printer poster or a digital copy. Spots limited to 10; sign up using the link in the newsletter. Depending on turnout, plan on practicing a small portion of your presentation.


Tuesday, July 28, 10:00 am: Brown Lab in the Library

"Practice Your Presentation"

Kathleen Makarewicz (Science Librarian)

Kristin Peace (Social Science Librarian)

Samantha Hilton (First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian)

All disciplines, all years. Posters and presentations should be completed (or near complete). Bring either the printer poster or a digital copy. Spots limited to 10; sign up using the link in the newsletter. Depending on turnout, plan on practicing a small portion of your presentation.


Wednesday, July 29: Summer Research Program Conference

This is an all-day event, and student presenters must be here for the full day of activities. Stick around and support your fellow researchers.

Share your pics with us at urc@oxy.edu or tag us on Instagram @urc.oxy

Find the 2025 Conference Program here. The 2026 program will be posted closer to the conference day!


Friday, July 31

  • Payday 5 
  • Submit the abstract, report, and thank you note to urc@oxy.edu and complete the Exit Survey.
Contact Undergraduate Research Center
Library

2nd floor, Old Wing, Room 253A