This annual award is earned by undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in research skills by using a breadth of library resources and services for their course assignments, research projects and creative endeavors.

“The Hesburgh Libraries is dedicated to the academic and research success of our students, especially as we learned new ways of working together during the pandemic,” said Edward H. Arnold University Librarian Diane Parr Walker. “This year’s winners demonstrated their commitment to excellence as they integrated library resources into their research and coursework during unusually challenging times.”��

Students from every discipline were invited to submit a brief essay describing the many ways in which they used library resources for a project or assignment completed during summer 2020, fall 2020, Winter Session 2020-21 or spring 2021.

Capstone Project or Senior Thesis Award Category

1st Place —��Victoria Smith, history and political Science

Victoria Smith won first prize for her extensive use of library resources while conducting research for her honors senior thesis, titled “From Assimilation to Integration: The 20th Century Transformation of Red Cloud Indian 91��Ƶ.” Advised by , associate professor of the practice, Smith was tasked with compiling a historiography on her chosen topic, which focused on the educational history of the Pine Ridge Lakota.��

“When COVID-19 restricted my physical access to the library and its resources, I met with [American History Librarian] over Zoom to discuss which databases would be of interest to me, given my interest in Native American educational history,” said Smith. “My discussions with Hesburgh staff members helped me realize that the path to successful research is not always linear and that there were a number of avenues I could take to continue my research at home.”

2nd Place —��Emily Yeager, international economics

Emily Yeager’s essay earned second prize for her exceptional use of library resources for her senior thesis, titled “Common Currency Zones and Income Levels: The Effects of the Euro on Spanish Incomes.” Advised by , assistant teaching professor of economics, Yeager analyzed the economic impact of Spain’s currency transition from the peseta to the euro in 2002. “Exploring the effects of this historical Spanish event gave me the opportunity to utilize the diverse resources of Hesburgh Library in order to create an objective analysis of the relationship between income and common currency,” said Yeager.

Yeager used OneSearch to gain a broad range of perspectives, then narrowed her search using JSTOR and Google Scholar. Inexperienced with locating downloadable data, Yeager said, “I would not have been able to discover my data so quickly without the assistance of Economics Librarian .” Chiewphasa introduced her to additional search engines, databases and subject-specific library guides.��

Sophomore, Junior or Senior Award Category

1st Place —��Brendan McFeely, political science, classics

Sophomore Brendan McFeely won first prize for his effective use of library resources to support his policy memo titled “Foster Kids from Poor Families — Exploring the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.” Advised by , adjunct professor in the , McFeely outlined the assumptions and impact of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which aimed to prevent foster children from returning to unsafe home environments.��

McFeely found research material by leveraging the library’s physical collection, electronic resources, subscriptions and online catalog. He also used the interlibrary loan service to acquire material held at the Kresge Law Library. “I also benefited from reserving and using the physical resources in the Hesburgh Library for effective communication and workflow,” said McFeely. “Thanks to the digital resources, library catalog and ample space in the Hesburgh Library, I was able to craft an effective policy memo discussing the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. I am so grateful for the extensive resources provided by the Hesburgh Library, and the tireless staff and faculty who help maintain it.”

2nd Place —��Emee Marjorie Dy, marketing

Emee Dy, junior, received second prize for her commitment to accessing and using Hesburgh Libraries services and resources to complete her ethnographic essay titled “Filipinos’ View of Marriage: Dynamic Yet a Colonial Remnant.” Advised by , associate professor in the , Dy explored the concept of marriage in the Philippines —��its history, how it has changed and its current role in society.

To begin her research, Dy used the online chat feature to consult with a library assistant for guidance on preliminary resources. She conducted an extensive search through the ND Catalog, OneSearch and JSTOR to identify scholarly articles. “I then proceeded to spend countless hours in the library’s Reading Room and the well-loved 10th floor (the view of campus continues to amaze me despite being a junior),” said Dy. “The Hesburgh Library and branch library resources have allowed me to glean insights on marriage in the Philippines. The breadth of the library’s resources and staff provided me with great evidence that resulted in a comprehensive ethnographic essay.”

First Year Student Award Category

1st Place —��Daniel O’Brien, Program of Liberal 91��Ƶ

Daniel O’Brien won first prize for demonstrating his excellent use of library resources to support his research paper, titled “That All Shall Agree: On David Bentley Hart’s Interpretation of Romans 5:18-19” — a specific topic of universalist interpretations of Romans 5:18-19.

After assigning the paper, O’Brien’s adviser, , assistant professor in the , dedicated an entire class period to how to engage with Hesburgh Libraries resources. O’Brien learned how to use OneSearch to locate articles, books and other material. He was also introduced to library guides for theology and religion, along with contact information for subject librarians. “I am not only incredibly grateful to Hesburgh Library for helping me complete this project with a higher level of scholarly engagement, but also for introducing me to the incredible intellectual resources the library has to offer,” he said, “which I will certainly treasure for the rest of my time at Notre Dame.”

2nd Place —��Anaum Showkat, neuroscience and behavior, pre-health studies

Anaum Showkat received second prize for her exemplary use of library resources and services while conducting research for her paper “Children Turned Into Brides: A Study of the Prevalence of Child Marriage in Bangladesh.” After Showkat’s project adviser, graduate student Adam Kerker, assigned the paper to her class, the students were introduced to Africana 91��Ƶ and Education Librarian and East Asian 91��Ƶ Librarian .��

Showkat used databases and advanced search engines to narrow down sources. She learned how to find subject-specific library guides and how to organize her information. Thanks to the helpfulness of the librarians and her newly developed research skills, Showkat said, “I was able to develop a more focused understanding of what is currently happening in Bangladesh, and what steps could be taken to reduce the rate at which young girls are getting married.”

Digital Scholarship Award Category

The (NFCDS) Award is a specialty submission category of the Library Research Award. This award recognizes excellence in leveraging digital scholarship resources, tools and methodologies in research and projects.��

Maria Carroll, computer science

Maria Carroll, senior, received an award for her essay about using the Distant Reader technology platform and contributing to a related NFCDS grant-funded High Performance Computing Consortium project titled “.”

Advised by E-Research Librarian , Carroll joined the NFCDS grant team. Hands-on work in team meetings, sprint planning sessions and feature improvement discussions exposed her to aspects of technology development. “I am incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with this innovative team on such an exciting project,” said Carroll. “I was able to come to a far better understanding of how to work with large datasets to create meaningful user interfaces.”��

Charles Hanzel, economics

Charles Hanzel, senior, received an award for his essay highlighting ways he leveraged digital scholarship resources for his senior thesis, titled “Does Slavery’s Historical Presence Impact Economic Development? Evidence from the Free-Slave State Border.” Advised by , associate professor of economics, Hanzel studied the long-term economic effects of slavery in the United States.

Hanzel’s use of library resources included an extensive literature review of economic research into the effects of slavery on economic development, both in the United States and around the world. After discovering a gap in the literature, he turned to GIS Librarian in the NFCDS to help him conduct further analysis.��“The resources I was able to take advantage of through the library were integral to my research project,” Hanzel said. “It is with genuine gratitude that I reflect on the role that the library has played in the development and completion of my senior thesis.”

Tracy Preko, neuroscience and behavior��

Tracy Preko, senior, took honors for her essay submission highlighting her use of library resources to complete her senior thesis, titled “Meta-analysis of Valence Effects in Child and Adolescent Autobiographical Memory.”��

Advised by , the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families Associate Professor of , Preko analyzed child and adolescent autobiographical memory. She was able to search specialty databases through the library.

After she screened more than 700 articles, Physical Sciences Librarian supported Preko with the difficult next steps of extracting data and contacting corresponding authors when more information was required. “I appreciated the one-on-one assistance because it made me feel that the library community was there to support my academic development. With the help of librarians like Mr. Miller, I was able to make critical progress on my thesis,” Preko said.

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For more information on the University of Notre Dame Library Research Award or to read more about the 2021 winners, visit .

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Contact: Monica Moore, scholarly communications librarian, mmoore18@nd.edu

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This annual award is earned by students who demonstrate exemplary research skills and utilize a breadth of library services, resources and expertise for their research or creative projects.

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Sponsored by the and the , with support from other campus entities, the ULRA provides students with a network of support and offers inspiration to those beginning original research or capstone projects.

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“The Hesburgh Libraries are committed to enhancing the academic and research success of Notre Dame’s undergraduates and expanding faculty and staff expertise and library resources to advance undergraduate research and scholarship,” said , Edward H. Arnold University Librarian. “This year’s ULRA winners have built new skills and learned new tools that support not only academic success — but success throughout their postgraduate careers.”��

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Tim Seida, economics

Tim Seida

Tim Seida won first prize in the Senior and Honors Thesis category for his senior thesis, “What Does ‘Dr. Copper’ Say? An Analysis of Price Expectations in the Copper Market.”, the Robert and Irene Bozzone Associate Professor of , Seida analyzes the copper market price expectations that he says are an integral component for macroeconomic modeling and forecasting.

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By leveraging various databases, software and digital library resources, Seida was able to critically evaluate the accuracy and consistency of data for his research. His data evaluation uncovered an issue with finding reliable spot price data, which he learned was a recurring problem in literature.

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Seida utilized the where he consulted with subject librarian . He also earned his Bloomberg certification allowing him access to the financial data source. Seida said, “Mendoza’s library resources were essential to my project — not only for its data, articles and software, but also the excellent librarians, like Pete, who taught me how to be a researcher.”

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Laura Neis, history

Laura Neis

Laura Neis received an honorable mention in the Senior and Honors Thesis category for her senior thesis, “Rare Women and True Martyrs: Female Martyrdom under Queen Elizabeth I.” With guidance from her adviser, , associate professor of and a fellow at the , Neis explored the sexist application of treason laws toward Catholics under Queen Elizabeth I.

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Due to the specificity of her topic, Neis had to seek specialized resources. , subject librarian in history, found her a rare manuscript located in the Westminster Diocesan Archives. Neis contacted the historian who was transcribing this manuscript, and he sent information critical to her argument that women were treated differently because of gender.

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Neis utilized many library resources in her research. She consulted with subject librarians, used online resources and participated in a class offered by . Neis said, “Without the Hesburgh Library’s resources, I would not have been able to write this thesis. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities provided to me by this wonderful library.”

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Gargi Purohit, economics

Gargi Purohit

Gargi Purohit, junior, won first prize in the 20000-40000 category for her paper, “Getting a Seat at the Table and Keeping it.” Purohit’s economics professor and adviser, , prompted the class to outline evidence for a policy that reduces inequality. Purohit’s research examines the expansion of affirmative action for women and racial minorities.

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Purohit consulted with , Africana studies and education librarian. Morgan taught her how to effectively use the advanced search options when looking at peer-reviewed academic papers. She learned how to find databases and that focus on her topic, which streamlined her research process.

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These resources helped her compile recent statistics on student population and racial composition of select colleges, and statistics on women and people of color in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “With Leslie Morgan’s guidance, I was able to not only acquire the skills to find papers for my topic, but also learn how to apply those skills to future projects,” said Purohit.

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Nadezhda Braun, Russian

Nadezhda Braun

Nadezhda Braun, senior, received an honorable mention in the 20000-40000 category for her paper, “Representation of the Female Experience of the Soviet Era in the Poetry of Elena Shvarts.” Braun was advised by , assistant professor in .

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Braun’s research focused on the connection between the female experience and feminine expression of art, specifically in the poetry of Elena Shvarts. Braun chose Shvarts’ work because she published through the underground artistic community, offering an insight not censored by the Soviet government. She concluded that “Shvarts’ use of jarring contrast implicated her place in the forced duality of the female experience in the Soviet Union.”

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Braun spent most of her time in the eighth and 11th floors of Hesburgh Library, home to the Russian history and literature collections. She utilized the renovated spaces which supported her research and writing process. In her ULRA essay, Braun recognized the “unsung heroes at Hesburgh Libraries who created an environment where I could create my best work.”

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Kaleigh Brauns, First Year of 91��Ƶ, business analytics and applied and computational mathematics and statistics

Kaleigh Brauns

Freshman Kaleigh Brauns won first prize in the 10000 category for her paper, “Manufacturing Monopolies: Why Drug Manufacturers are at the Root of the Recent Rise in Pharmaceutical Prices,” where she explored the unethical nature of the prescription drug market. Brauns was advised by , the O’Malley Director of the

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In her ULRA essay, Brauns reflected on the challenges of writing a research paper and the steps taken to narrow her topic. She consulted with , who introduced her to the vast array of online services provided by the library. She explored databases, utilized the Interlibrary Loan service and consulted with the Ask Us Desk.

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Through a set of case studies, she discovered that manufacturers are at the root of the industry’s problems. Brauns said, “Without the help of the library and all of the resources they offer to students, I would not have been able to write such a cohesive and well-researched paper.”

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Contact: Tara O’Leary, Hesburgh Libraries, toleary2@nd.edu, 574-631-1856