UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #943

Research Mentor Information
---------------------------
Primary Research Mentor Name: Mason Marks
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: he/him
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): mmarks@law.fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Law
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: College of Law
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/15341/Marks_Headshot.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
-----------------------------
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}

Overall Project Details
-----------------------
Title of the Project: State and federal law and the religious use of psychedelic sacraments
Project Keywords: Psychedelics, law, religion, spirituality, drug policy
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 6
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all majors but may be of particular interest to students of religion, political science, criminal justice, anthropology, and history. 

Project Location:: Online
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: No, the project is remote
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Fully Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 5 - 10 depending on student preferences and availability
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description:
With support from a professor at the FSU College of Law, students will research state and federal laws regarding the spiritual and religious use of psychedelic substances such as mescaline, ibogaine, psilocybin, and LSD. Indigenous communities around the world have long used plants and fungi containing psychedelics in healing and religious ceremonies. Recently, with the increasing popularity of psychedelics and psychedelic research, states have started decriminalizing or regulating these substances despite their federally prohibited status as Schedule I controlled substances. Research assistants will compile, review, analyze, and summarize historic and contemporary materials regarding law and the religious use of psychedelics, including legal opinions, legislative materials, news stories, academic articles, and historical documents.  

Research Tasks:
Literature search and review,  data analysis (non-quantitative), data summary, and potentially preliminary drafting. 

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Required: Experience conducting literature searches and summarizing the results or motivation to learn. Strong organizational and writing skills. Interest in learning about drug policy, regulation, and/or the religious use of psychedelic substances. 
Recommended: Interest in or knowledge of drug policy, drug law, criminal justice, religion, psychedelic history, or psychedelic anthropology. 


Mentoring Philosophy:
I aim to create a supportive work environment where mentees feel comfortable learning new things and developing new skills. I learn about mentees’ strengths and career goals and attempt to tailor assignments to their strengths and preferences. I share my experience as a former student and current researcher with mentees to illustrate common challenges and how they might be overcome. I can also serve as a resource to help mentees clarify and achieve their educational, academic, and professional goals.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://law.fsu.edu/faculty-staff/mason-marks
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
{Empty}


Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Friday, September 6, 4 - 4:30pm and 6-6:30pm. 

Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/95904316476
Meeting ID: 959 0431 6476

Please email mmarks@law.fsu.edu if you have any difficulty joining the meeting. 


Roundtable Info:
{Empty}

UROP Program Elements
---------------------
Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

{Empty}
Year: 2024
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=eXgxEz1En3fBQQNQXCrz3rcAdaDuGKIGbyUjZVOzqEo