PURPOSE: Partners United for Research Pathways Oriented to Social Justice in Education

The PURPOSE training program's theme focuses on researching social justice issues within educational contexts. As part of the year-long training program, fellows will receive training in education research, conduct research with faculty mentors, and receive assistance in applying to doctoral study. Throughout the year fellows will participate in proseminars, within which they will learn about social justice issues. They will also learn about the graduate school application process and integrate learning from their research experiences.

During the fellows' initial spring semester in the program, they will take a research methods course and participate in mentored research. Then, during the summer, fellows will complete a research practicum at the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools hosted by FAMU's Developmental Research School (DRS). These FAMU-DRS Freedom Schools strive to reach low-income students, who are racial or ethnic minorities, during a free 6-week summer day camp that is intended to empower students to make a difference in their world through a social action project. Fellows will conduct research on the FAMU-DRS Freedom Schools under the supervision of their mentors while also volunteering (e.g., assisting with curricula, students' social action projects) and submitting reflective reports on their experiences. During the fall semester fellows will participate in a research dissemination practicum, culminating with a poster presentation.

For participation in the training program, each fellow will receive a stipend and a small allowance for research and travel.

Increasing Diversity in the Education Sciences A primary objective of all Pathways training programs is to help increase diversity in the Education Sciences. PURPOSE represents a partnership between two Florida Universities that serve diverse student populations: Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a historically black university. The program intends to recruit underrepresented racial/ethnic students, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, veterans, and first-generation college students. Participating faculty represent multiple academic disciplines and research expertise relevant to the training program's social justice theme.