UROP Project
SNA/DNA: Social Network Analysis and Digital Network Analysis for Rural Communities
digital skills, social networks, needs analysis
Research Mentor: Dr. or first name is okay, too. Vanessa Dennen, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Education
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology & Learning Systems, Education
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Communications, Education, Open to All
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday Sept 6 5:30-6 pm
Thursday Sept 7 12:00-12:30 pm
Same zoom link for both sessions: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Communications, Education, Open to All
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday Sept 6 5:30-6 pm
Thursday Sept 7 12:00-12:30 pm
Same zoom link for both sessions: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Project Description
Join a team of researchers exploring the best way to address digital skill development in rural communities. This year our team will be conducting a social network analysis and digital needs analysis in two rural north Florida / Big Bend communities, determining the most needed digital skills among different population sectors and mapping the opportunities for best supporting skill development.Research Tasks: We will train you on all necessary research skills. At a minimum, you can expect to be involved in literature analysis and cross-walking, scenario development, data processing/cleaning, and data analysis. There will likely be opportunities to participate in the data collection process as well, if interested.
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.
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. Many have become collaborators on presentations at national conferences and some have published with me. The opportunity is there for you if you seek it. :)
Additional Information
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 (varies based on workflow), 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 and Slack.