UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1273

Submission information
Submission Number: 1273
Submission ID: 20961
Submission UUID: 759afb8e-9be4-42e0-a042-cf7d1007e678

Created: Mon, 08/18/2025 - 07:36 PM
Completed: Mon, 08/18/2025 - 07:36 PM
Changed: Mon, 09/01/2025 - 09:43 AM

Remote IP address: 46.110.204.100
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Research Mentor Name Vanessa Dennen
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns she/her
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) vdennen@fsu.edu
Position Title Faculty
FSU College (if applicable) Education, Health, and Human Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Florida State University
Headshot (optional)
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above)
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable)
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Title of the Project Online Information Ecosystems: Teens, Social Media, Algorithms
Project Keywords social media, youth, algorithms, information studies
Are you currently looking for research assistants? Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed 3
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Open to all majors; may be of particular interest to communications, psychology, sociology, and education
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): Fully Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work? 5-10
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 study combines interviews and media diary portfolios to explore how high school students make sense of information they encounter in their everyday online lives via information and communication technologies (ICTs), especially social media. Additionally, we're interested in how they perceive the algorithms that serve up information to them and the connections and meaning that they make with this information.

This is the second iteration of data collection for this project. The link below shows a conference poster from the first iteration (co-authors are from UROP, we are currently working on publications).

This year, we will be engaged in data collection during the fall term and moving into data processing, coding, and analysis during the spring.
Research Tasks Data collection and processing, including interviews. Data coding and analysis (qualitative data).
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are needed.
We will train you on all research-specific skills.
Students need to complete CITI training (“FSU Faculty, Staff, and Students” Social/Behavioral) before beginning any work.
Mentoring Philosophy UROP offers a great opportunity for students to have early research experiences. I apply the cognitive apprenticeship model in my research teams, in which my UROP mentees are full members of the research team. As cognitive apprentices, you get to see all parts of the research process, contribute your own insights along the way, and gradually gain responsibilities as you learn how to perform different research tasks. I have high expectations for our research outcomes, and will train and support you to meet them. I will also seek ways to help you work toward your long-term educational and professional goals.

Above all else, I believe in kindness, respect, and lifelong learning, and aim to foster a research environment that supports these ideals.

I have worked with many UROP students over the years. Several have become collaborators on presentations at national conferences and some have published with me. The opportunity is there for you if you seek it. :)
Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): https://fsu-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/vdennen_fsu_edu/EQrfm-L6Y8RKhzr1ssHKo_8BA3ZP3hJClvO_SIQZDmfkwg?e=MEDuJp
Please add any additional information here (if applicable): Work on this project is, by default, remote, but there is the opportunity to have in-person meetings for people who prefer that type of interaction.
Typically we schedule meetings every 1-2 weeks, and between meetings everyone has tasks that they work on. During meetings we share the outcomes of our prior tasks, learn new skills, and determine next tasks. Between meetings we typically communicate via email, GroupMe, and MS Teams.
Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links Tues Sept 2, 5-5:30, https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Roundtable Info
  • Day: Tuesday, September 2
    Start Time: 5:00
    End Time: 5:30
    Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation Yes
Materials Grant Yes
UROP Poster Presentation Yes
Year 2025
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