External queries
Q: Are you available for speaking engagements?
A: I am available for limited speaking engagements, though appreciate flexibility in notice and scheduling. If your institution has financial barriers which prevent funding and compensation, please let me know. Email admin@riosinstitute.org for inquiries.
Q: What topics are you available to discuss?
A: I will always discuss inclusion and equity issues in addition to research in talks that I am invited to give. Some examples projects include VECINA, Math Mamas, Latinx-centered mathematical voices, data science for social justice, and rehumanizing STEM. I also give talks which focus on finding, building, and/or sustaining communities – such as RIOS, QUBES, SACNAS chapters, and more.
In terms of interdisciplinary curriculum development and course-based research with students, I can discuss teaching “Calling Bull with R,” or teaching computing ethics through film and community-research partnership intensive courses, such as VECINA, digital community building, and design capstones.
Other research projects include building multilingual large language models, improving flood modeling through qualitative data, computational text analysis of STEM education policy, and more.
Bates Student FAQs
Q: Can I request an independent study?
A: While we are building our program, DCS faculty generally do not accept independent study proposals. If you are interested in an independent study, you would need to contact me at least a full month before pre-registration to see about availability. I typically only advice IS opportunities in cases where 1) there is more than one student interested in pursuing learning a particular area in my expertise, 2) it expands on research that is started during one of my classes, or 3) there is an external advisor/course program arrangement that I am providing in-house expertise for.
Q: Would you be available to advise a thesis?
A: Please see my research page for information about the types of theses I can advise. Please make an appointment to come and see me if one of these areas interests you. DCS students who want to pursue a thesis should sign up for Capstone in the fall. Therefore, this process should be started in junior year. Some of these projects also qualify for theses in other departments, particularly mathematics.
Q: Are you accepting research students?
A: I only fund undergraduate research students right now in inclusive and interdisciplinary STEM education research. Look for job postings on Handshake. In addition to student research and education, research assistants can also take on additional projects available that relate to data analysis, AI, website building, and more. These paid openings are very limited. I am also open to taking volunteers for more focused and limited-time projects.
Q: Would you write me a letter of recommendation?
A: I am usually able to accommodate requests for a letter of recommendation provided that you contact me at least one month in advance. If I can confirm availability and willingness, please promptly provide all submission information, program links, and application files. If I have already provided a letter of request for a similar program for you, this can typically be reduced to a two-week notice. Please check in a few days before the due date as well to confirm.
