UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1049

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: James Strickland
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Prof.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): jmstrickland@asu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Social Sciences and Public Policy
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Political Science
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/19841/profile2.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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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
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Title of the Project: Tracking Lobbyist in Florida
Project Keywords: lobbying; state government; legislatures
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Political science; public policy; history; economics.

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
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):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 8-10
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:
This project involves the transcription of the names of registered lobbyists in Florida from the 1950s to the present day. Assistants will be given access to high-resolution images of lobbyist registration records from the Florida State Archives, and be instructed how to transcribe the names of lobbyists and their clients into Excel spreadsheets. The data from the Excel sheets may then be used for a variety of research projects, including for UROP posters. Research questions that may be answered using the data include, among others: 1) When did the lobbying industry begin to grow in Florida and why, 2) What kinds of organizations are most active in Florida politics and why, and 3) How long do lobbyists remain in their profession or continue to register? 

Research Tasks:
Assistants are primarily instructed in transcription of names, data management in Excel, and (possibly) rudimentary data analysis skills (as needed for their UROP poster).

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Required: Typing. 

Mentoring Philosophy:
I support assistants in numerous ways. First, I aim to educate assistants about research on lobbying. In addition to transcribing records, I meet with assistants weekly to discuss an article or book chapter (and these discussions and readings count towards the weekly time commitment). Second, I support assistants' career goals by regularly writing recommendation letters for assistants when needed, and passing onto them relevant internship opportunities. Third, I meet with assistants regularly to ensure that their questions are answered and that they feel empowered to continue transcribing. 

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://igc.fsu.edu/faculty-staff/constitutional-liberty
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2025
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