Institute for Intelligent Systems

Faculty Mentor: Alistair Windsor

Faculty Mentor's Department: Department of Mathematical Sciences

Project Description: The project to to examine some results of mathematical competitions in K-12 schools to provide insight into areas that students experience particular difficulty with. Questions will be tagged and then clustered using various methods including natural language processing. Students will assist with data processing and data analysis and hopefully will participate in preparation of the results as a manuscript.

Requirements for Student Applicants: Students whose major is in STEM or in Education would be acceptable. Students with skill in computer programming are particularly encouraged to apply but such skills are not mandatory.
Application or Interview Process (e.g., cover letter, letter of reference, unofficial transcripts, etc.) Interested students should submit a resume, unofficial transcript, and cover letter indicating their reasons for interest in the position and their career goals.

Hours per week the student will work: 10 hours per week

Starting Date: Flexible

Methods of Compensation: Volunteer

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Leah Windsor

Faculty Mentor's Department: Institute for Intelligent Systems

Email/Website: Leah.Windsor@memphis.edu

Project Description: What kind of language does a dictator use? Can language patterns reveal when rebel groups are getting stronger or weaker? How do leaders use speeches to send credible threats or effectively bluff adversaries in international politics? These questions are particularly important given the unpredictability and opaqueness of rogue political actors, including autocratic leaders, non-state actors, rebel groups, and terrorist groups, in international relations. Patterns of content, language, and discourse in speeches, documents, and social media can reveal important political information relevant to policymakers and national security strategists who are interested in predicting and responding to international events and crises. Through the Institute for Intelligent Systems at The University of Memphis, our research team has the capacity to conduct analyses of political texts in Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, and English using computational tools. We focus on three areas of investigation: (1) political crisis and language, (2) the distinction between credible threats and bluffs in national and international security, and (3) contentious political behavior among non-state actor groups.

Requirements for Student Applicants: Honors student or GPA 3.5 or above

Method of Compensation: Volunteer or academic credit

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Olney

Faculty Mentor's Department: Institute for Intelligent Systems

Email: aolney@memphis.edu

Project Description: My research involves natural language interfaces. These are typically interactive dialogue systems that use natural language processing, but I also do work in analyzing text. Much of my funded research involves building educational software that uses artificial intelligence to teach students.

Requirements for Student Applicants: The student should have a 3.0 or above GPA, an interest in research, and some ability to write software (even at a basic level). Interested students should also be willing to minimally commit to a weekly meeting and 3-4 hours a week of work outside of meetings.

Start Date: Immediately

Method of Compensation: Volunteer or academic credit

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Art Graesser

Faculty Mentor's Department: Institute for Intelligent Systems

Contact Information: graesser@memphis.edu

Project Description: AutoTutor for adult literacy is a new and innovative Intelligent Tutoring System that aids struggling adult readers on their quest to literacy. We are looking for motivated undergraduate students to assist with experiments, data collection, and data analyses. Students will have opportunities to gain research experience for graduate school and earn authorship on scholarly papers. Dr. Graesser has an esteemed reputation in the cognitive science community and a track record of mentoring students who have gone on to successful careers in and out of psychology.

Requirements for Student Applicants: Any of the following interests: Cognitive Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Memory and Learning, Education.

Application or Interview Process: Email Dr. Lippert (Dr. Graesser's postdoctoral student) to schedule an interview.

Starting Date: Immediately

Method of Compensation: Volunteer, academic credit. Potential for stipend if student completes tasks well.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Philip I. Pavlik Jr.

Faculty Mentor's Department: Institute for Intelligent Systems

Contact: ppavlik@memphis.edu

Project Description: The Optimal Learning Lab conducts research that involves theories of human learning and how to apply them in educational contexts. More specifically, our current research projects include: elaborative study methods (concept mapping), text comprehension strategies, and spaced practice.

Requirements for Student Applicants: The student should have a 3.0 or above GPA, successfully completed PSYC 3010 (Research and Statistics I), and have an interest in cognitive psychology, education, or computer science. Interested students should also be willing to commit a minimum of 4 hours per week to lab projects. (Note: Some projects may require more or less time; thus, a flexible schedule is an added benefit)

Start Date: Immediately

Method of Compensation: Volunteer or academic credit.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Tawfik

Department: Instruction and Curriculum Leadership

Contact Information: aatawfik@memphis.edu

Project Description:The Instructional Design & Technology (IDT) Studio is a lab that is interested in the design, development, and evaluation of educational technologies. The Studio partners with schools and organizations within the community and helps them apply edtech in meaningful ways. This position would include data analysis, working directly with users, and possible multimedia development. In terms of scholarship, the students would be included on conference presentations and journal publications.

Requirements for Student Applicants: Multimedia development (e.g – familiarity with tools such as Adobe, iMovie, etc)

Application or Interview Process: Students should submit a brief letter of interest; Face to face interview

Hours per week the student will work: 20/week

Starting Date: Immediately

Method of Compensation: Volunteer