REU Application Information

Overview 

This REU is targeted at those interested in understanding environmental contamination in cities from multiple disciplines, building an understanding of community-based research. Participants will work with community collaborators to address socio-environmental problems in Atlanta around soil, air, and water contamination. Our vision is to build collaborative, value-based relationships between community leaders and academic institutions to drive community-centric solutions. This is an 8-week REU and students will earn $5,600. Housing, food, and travel to/from Atlanta will be covered and there is funding for interested students to present their research at a conference after the REU has concluded. 

 

The CSAW REU will take place at GSU’s downtown Atlanta campus from June 9-August 1, 2025.

 

Eligibility 

Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (associate's or bachelor's). Students must by U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Students must have at least one more semester of undergraduate coursework remaining following summer 2025. If selected, participants cannot have another obligation, such as an internship, part/full-time work, or enrolled in a course during the program's duration. 

 

One to two REU students will work on Community Mapping and need at least two semesters of GIS coursework (QGIS or ESRI) or equivalent experience. 

 

How to Apply 

DEADLINE FOR SUMMER 2025 APPLICATIONS: February 7, 2025 

 

The application is through the ETAP portal: https://etap.nsf.gov/award/7437/opportunity/10022 

 

The application requires four items 

1. Short answers to the following questions:

   • What are your goals and motivations (personal and/or professional; short and long-term) in applying to the CSAW REU program? (Please write about 200-250 words)

   • Describe your interests in community-based research projects around urban environmental issues, especially in environmental justice communities. (Please write about 100-200 words)

   • Describe how you have overcome or dealt with a challenge or adversity in your life. This can be either a specific situation or a broader issue. (Please write about 100-200 words) 

   • Describe how you, based on your personal background and life experiences (including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges) will contribute to CSAW during and after participating in this REU. (Please write about 100-150 words) 

   • Optional: If you feel your academic record and experience are not representative of your abilities and potential in graduate school, please let us know any details you wish to share. (Please limit your response to 250 words. If this is not applicable to you, please just write "n/a") 

2. Two references. Instead of uploading letters of recommendation from those referees, they will fill out a brief survey. Please make sure you send this link (https://bit.ly/4fNk83i) to your referees well before the application deadline! 

3. Transcript(s) 

4. Resume 

 

Initial acceptances should be sent out the week of February 24-28, 2025 

 

Summer 2025 Projects 

Each project will have 2-3 students being mentored by 1-2 graduate students and 2-3 faculty 

1. Community and historical mapping of environmental injustice in Atlanta 

   • Maps and spatial data are important tools for scholars and policymakers to understand the inequitable distribution of both environmental hazards and amenities. For example, geographic information systems (GIS) maps often illustrate “hotspots” for environmental risk or contamination. However, these geospatial technologies are usually out of reach of the community groups that are most affected by these issues because of the financial costs of accessing, and technical expertise required to use GIS. Because of these obstacles, community organizations are often unable to translate their experiential and place-based knowledges into a form that is more intelligible to policymakers. CSAW REU students, fellows, and faculty in the Community Mapping Lab will work with community partners to develop maps, and other data visualizations to support various community-centered environmental justice projects. The goal will be to use the tools of mapping to uncover historical and contemporary environmental injustices and empower community groups. 

2. Water: interdisciplinary (natural and social sciences) approaches to understanding water inequity in cities 

3. Air: Heat waves, air pollution

4. Soil: Heavy metal contamination and brownfields 

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For more information or to connect with someone from the team, email us at csaw@gsu.edu, or check out our Instagram @csawgsu.

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