Global Students Accepted to National Research Conference

Students in Global College Accepted to National Research Conference

All of the 24 seniors in LIU’s Global College were accepted to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The prestigious event features the top undergraduate researchers from around the United States. Although the event was cancelled due to COVID-19, the distinction is a remarkable one for the two dozen graduating students. In place of the NCUR conference, Global College hosted a virtual event, where the students exhibited their erudite projects to an audience of more than 200 LIU faculty members and fellow students, as well as friends and family. “I am very proud of the success of our LIU Global students,” said Terence Blackburn, dean of Global College. “As demonstrated by their success in juried research competitions, their education throughout their time at Global in qualitative research and writing has provided them with excellent preparation for graduate school or the world of work.”

Students in Global College spend the first three years learning about the world's global issues through four lenses of culture, economics, environment, and governance. During their junior year, they draft a research proposal and select a part of the world to study. The project analyzes the local manifestation of a global problem within the context of the student’s selected community. Students then spend the first semester of their senior year, known as the independent research and internship semester, in their chosen location and conduct original qualitative research while also interning at a local organization. Finally, they spend their final semester polishing the work into a dynamic presentation. This year, the seniors conducted their research in Byron Bay, Australia; Vienna, Austria; Ubud, Bali; Brussels, Belgium; Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; San José, Costa Rica; Wicklow County, Ireland; Whanganui, New Zealand; Jerusalem, Palestine Israel; and Chicago, Hampton Roads, and New York City, United States. “Their research projects cover a wide range of topics and theories,” said Capstone Student Editor Gwen Lindberg, ’20. “Examples from this year include indigeneity, decolonialism, and connection to land and water in Whanganui, Aotearoa New Zealand and solidarity, radical intimacy, and narrative

LIU’s Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies program is an accredited four-year bachelor’s education that immerses students in over eight countries for a one-ofa-kind education without borders.

transformation in Israel Palestine.”

Following the coronavirus pandemic, the value of analytical thinking on a global scale has never been higher and these accomplished students are entering the professional world with in-demand skills.

“The diverse case studies presented here have two things in common,” said Jocelyn Lieu, senior thesis coordinator. “All address urgent issues facing humanity and the planet, and all explore pathways towards creating positive change. They represent the culmination of three semesters’ work as well as their four years of study of global issues.”

Learn more about Long Island University's Global College at: liu.edu/global