Advancing Understanding & Resilience Actions (AURA) Research Hub

The Advancing Understanding & Resilience Actions (AURA) Research Hub generates new knowledge about programmatic interventions and conditions that foster resilience among academically talented, low-income computing and engineering undergraduate students supported by NSF S-STEM projects. Focusing on STEM professional identity formation, persistence in the major, academic success, and STEM workforce entry the AURA Hub investigates the interaction of individual, community and environment by examining institutional issues and structures that support or hinder ‘resilience development’ for computing and engineering students. Using a combination of mindset theory, self-determination theory and theories of professional identity development in concert with college student developmental theory, the AURA Hub is developing a novel framework for advancing resilience. The AURA Hub also strengthens the broader network of S-STEM project teams through the creation of interdisciplinary Professional Learning Communities and Discipline-Based Education Research Fellowships. Dissemination activities utilize a research-to-practice approach, accelerating the dissemination of new knowledge and tools as public goods, advancing the understandings of supporting resilience and success for computer science and engineering students and addressing the urgent need for developing a strong national workforce in these domains.