Student Research at Kenyon
Student-faculty collaborative research is an important part of the curriculum at Kenyon. In a 2005 national survey, 44% of Kenyon seniors questioned indicated that they had worked on a research program with a faculty member during their career at Kenyon, and 49% had participated in independent study or a self-designed major; these numbers are significantly higher than the national averages of 21% and 23% obtained from the National Survey of Student Engagement. Further, all of our seniors complete a Senior Exercise in their major which might involve an independent research project.
Student-faculty research occurs across the curriculum. Here are some examples of several on-going, college-supported research projects:
- The CSAD Democracy Scholars Program
- Kenyon Summer Science Program
- Summer Legal Studies Program
- Kenyon Rural Life Center and the "Food for Thought" Program
- Kenyon North by South Project
- Kenyon Women and Gender Studies Oral History Project
The CSAD Democracy Scholars Program
The Center for the Study of American Democracy Summer Scholars ProgramKenyon's Center for the Study of American Democracy provides opportunities for students to work in close collaboration with faculty members as full participants on some fundamental question, text, or theme of American liberal democracy. Students selected for these competitive awards will receive a stipend, summer housing, and funds for research materials and supplies when necessary. A primary component of the program is the public presentation of the summer scholar's work at the conclusion of the research project. More...
Kenyon Summer Science Program
More than 30 student-faculty pairs spend eight to ten weeks each summer collaborating on scientific projects across the fields of archaeology, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology. Students receive a stipend, a housing allowance, and funds for research materials and supplies. Students present the results of their work at a public poster session in the fall semester that follows their summer research experience. More...
Summer Legal Studies Program
The John W. Adams Summer Scholars Program in Socio-Legal Studies
Kenyon's Law and Society Program sponsors summer research opportunities for student-faculty collaborators pursuing socio-legal scholarship. The John W. Adams Summer Scholars Program in Socio-Legal Studies provides funding to support the design and execution of original law-related research. Students selected for these competitive awards will receive stipend, summer housing allowance, and funds for research materials and supplies when necessary. Students receiving these awards will present their work publicly at the College during the academic year immediately following their awards. More...
Kenyon Rural Life Center and the "Food for Thought" Program
Through the Kenyon Rural Life Center, students and faculty regularly conduct research about central Ohio rural life in conjunction with Kenyon courses, independent studies, and honors projects. One program from the Center, the "Food for Thought" program, has received a McGregor Fund to enable professors and students to conduct a local food assessment to determine the extent of possible exchange between local food providers, retailers, and consumers. Grant funds will support student independent research, a lecture series, a Web site, and the creation of exhibits. More...Kenyon North by South Project
In the Senior Seminar class in American Studies, students travel to sites in the North and South to research the Great Migration of southern blacks northward. Students present the results of their research to the community when they return. More...