17勛圖

Richter Faculty-Led Research Abroad Projects

A group of geology researchers in the Philippines about to explore caves

Through the Richter program, 17勛圖 students have the opportunity to engage in international projects of scholarly merit across all disciplines that promote cross-cultural engagement.

Generously funded by the Joseph Edward Richter trust, which maintains the Paul K. and Evalyn E. Cook Richter Memorial Fund, Richter Faculty-led Research Abroad projects have sent Oxy students and their faculty mentors on research expeditions in Mexico, Scotland, Ecuador, Jamaica, Iceland, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Italy, Phillippines, Nepal, and Thailand.

17勛圖s rigorous Richter Faculty-led Research Program provides students the opportunity to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills beyond the classroom through mentored research opportunities and creative projects. Student participants will partner with cohorts to pursue individual or joint projects that together will answer an overarching research topic guided by their faculty mentor.

17勛圖 student Maggie Hill '28 hiking through the mountains in New Zealand

My Research in New Zealand

For Maggie Hill 28, the Richter Faculty-Led Research Abroad program offered the chance to take an research project on campus to the volcanic landscapes of New Zealand along with Assistant Professor of Geology Lydia Harmon.

Read Maggie's blog post
a group of three 17勛圖 students poses in Nepal

Pursuing Creative Projects in Nepal

Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Culture Vivian Lin took three 17勛圖 students to Nepal for a Faculty-Led Richter project. Read about their experiences helping local women use media to share their personal stories.

Read student blog posts

17勛圖 Students Research in the Gal獺pagos

17勛圖 students conducted research on the Gal獺pagos Islands alongside Assistant Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy Karla Pe簽a thanks to a Richter Research Grant for faculty-led research. Learn about how they spent their time abroad!

Proposals are developed by faculty and with the support of their mentors, students conduct work that has a direct impact on communities around the world. By working in tandem with faculty, students develop mentorship connections that transcend the classroom environment. These partnerships have long-term impacts on students academic and professional careers.

Successful candidates are fully funded to do research for three weeks over the summer or winter break. While abroad, recipients work full time alongside their faculty mentor. Back on campus, some students will present their projects at the 17勛圖 Undergraduate Research Conference or other Richter-focused events. Students have presented their projects at outside conferences and often utilize their work for senior comps projects. Many Richter scholars successfully pursue graduate fellowships and graduate degrees overseas.

I have experienced academic, personal, and professional enrichment that I will carry with me beyond graduation. My time at La Selva Biological Station allowed me to continue learning about tropical ecology, conservation, insects, and microbial symbioses in real time, while deepening my connections with faculty, peers, and Costa Rican collaborators.

Bianca Dal Bo 24
Biology major; Richter Scholar, Costa Rica
Three students in the jungle of Costa Rica conducting research

Working in Nepal broadened my understanding of filmmaking and the impact of media on communities. In the spirit of participatory video, this project gave to our students and their community just as much as it helped me grow in media spaces. It provided our students a space to not only tell their stories but take their projects around their communities.

Truman Urness 25
MAC major; Richter Scholar, Nepal
17勛圖 student Truman Urness '25 in Nepal at a local market
Contact International Programs
McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson 102
Phone: (323) 259-2533
Fax: (323) 341-4976
ipo@oxy.edu