Seven students from around the country came to UA earlier this summer for the inaugural “Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Crime Analytics” program, which is currently funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Housed in the Department of Sociology & Criminology, REU students engaged in several of the ongoing, funded research projects of the Terrorism Research Center (TRC), led by Jeff Gruenewald, and Arkansas Health Equity and Access Lab (HEAL), led by Michael Nino.
REU students spent approximately 10 weeks at UA attending workshops, lectures, and hands-on trainings on topics such as data collection, data management, research design and method, data analysis, research design, and data visualization. Students were provided unique opportunities to develop skills in data analytics, build social networks, and research some of today’s most critical issues, including those related to violent extremism and health inequities in America.
Students also had the chance to connect with other UA faculty across the campus and explore some of what Northwest Arkansas has to offer, including museums, restaurants, and outdoor recreation. When asked about her experience, Rebecca Vazquez, an REU student from California State University – East Bay said “It was a very fun experience! It exposed me to something very different from what I have learned in other classes and helped me apply those skills in practice.”
The NSF-REU Program in Crime Analytics has received funding for two additional years. Recruiting for Summer 2025 program will begin later this year.