Kelly LeRoux
Email Address: kleroux@uic.eduCollege: Urban Planning and Public Affairs Department: Public Administration
Title: Assistant Professor
Office: 131 CUPPA Hall Phone: 312-355-2672
Webpage: http://www.uic.edu/cuppa/pa/faculty/leroux.html
Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Research Interest:
My current research projects focus on nonpartisan voter mobilization campaigns carried out by nonprofits, as well as nonprofits' political advocacy activities. My research tries to better understand how community-based nonprofits can help poor and marginalized groups have a greater voice in our democracy. I have worked with 9 undergraduate research assistants over the past five years around these topics and have found it to be a tremendously rewarding experience. Students that have worked with me have gained valuable research and professional skills, and have had their efforts formally acknowledged in the research publications that emerged from the projects they worked on. Students will also gain experience with database assembly and exposure to data analysis software, which are great skills to include on a resume. Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 9 (3 credit hours) Qualifications of a Student:
Minimum GPA 3.0; preferred UPA or Political Science major. Junior/senior status preferred. Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
This elections season (fall 2012) I will undertaking a web-based survey of nonprofit organizations accross the U.S. to find out what activities and tactics they are using to mobilize their clients and communities to vote. I will also be doing some focus group interviews with immigrant service organizations in Chicago after the election. Students who are interested in this project could assist in a number of ways including helping to administer the survey, participating in and transcribing research interviews, coding qualitative data, and collecting information from other sources (census bureau, nonprofit financial reports, etc). Students who are interested in this research opportunity should contact me by e-mail for an interview and to further discuss the project. Students are expected to be motivated, and possess good communication skills both verbal and written. Contact researcher via URE Email Webform
