The “Weber Scholars” program was named after the social theorist Max Weber, who challenged researchers to confront “uncomfortable facts” – facts that challenge our preconceptions about the way the world works. Weber Scholars offers students the opportunity to hone their research skills while investigating some of the most pressing political, social, and economic issues of our time. Students are encouraged to approach this work using a range of disciplinary tools and methodologies, including philosophy, political theory, political science, economics, and statistics.
Outcomes
By the end of the program, students are expected to complete a research paper that reflects the work they have done that summer. Along the way, students develop and cultivate research and writing skills that they can employ in their courses at St. Olaf or in future graduate school endeavors.
Previous Weber Scholars have: published their summer research in undergraduate student research journals, presented their work at academic conferences, and have used their Weber Scholar research as their writing sample for graduate school applications.
eLIGIBILITY
The Weber Scholars program is open to rising sophomores through rising seniors with an interest in social scientific or humanistic research.
Students are paid and receive housing for the 10-weeks of the program.
The Weber Scholars program lets students take ownership over their research, learning to work through challenges and “inconvenient” findings while pursuing answers to questions they care about.
—Prof. Brandon Westler
Application Process
Application Process and Timeline:
- Applications for the next summer typically open in January.
- Application materials are submitted through Handshake. The application will ask for a general description of your research interests.
- Offers are sent in March with decisions due shortly afterward.
- The program runs from the end of May to the beginning of August.
Benefits and Expectations
- The Weber Scholars program is full-time on campus
- Students earn $13.50/hour. (40 hours per week for 10 weeks).
- Students will be provided with a room in a residence hall double at no-charge for the duration of the program.
- Students participating in Weber Scholars cannot hold other employment positions on campus during the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
- If students receive housing support, that support will be taxed as though it is a wage.
- Meal plans are not provided.
- Parking permit is not provided.
- You will submit a separate application to residence life to secure your summer housing placement.
This program helps students develop their research skills while at the same time learning how to direct their St. Olaf learning toward important problems in the public interest.
—Prof. Christopher Chapp