Research Experience for Undergraduates

The SPIRE-HCI (Summer Program for Interdisciplinary Research and Education – Human-Computer Interaction) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program is a 10-week summer research experience hosted by the VRAC Research Center at Iowa State University.

SPIRE-HCI combines hands-on research with focused instruction in human-computer interaction (HCI), providing undergraduate students with an opportunity to explore how people interact with technology and how new technologies can improve everyday life. The program is designed to prepare students for graduate education and careers in interdisciplinary fields that connect computing, design, engineering, and the human experience.

A Unique Research and Learning Experience

Unlike traditional summer internships, SPIRE-HCI integrates research with a structured educational curriculum. This includes: 

• Computer programming
• 3D graphics and visualization
• Extended Reality (XR), including virtual and augmented reality
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Research methods and evaluation techniques
• Ethics in computing and technology research

These learning experiences are directly connected to the research projects students undertake throughout the summer.

Collaborative Research Teams

Participants are assigned to a research team consisting of three undergraduate students. Each team is led by a VRAC faculty researcher and supported by a dedicated graduate student mentor, creating a collaborative environment that provides both technical guidance and professional mentorship.

Research projects focus on human-computer interaction and related technologies, including:

• Extended Reality (XR) applications
• Information visualization
• Machine learning and intelligent systems
• Mobile and wearable interfaces
• Human-centered design
• Immersive learning and training environments

Past projects have explored topics such as measuring team performance in cooperative gaming, developing user interaction methods for 3D printing workflows, and designing immersive audio experiences for navigation and learning in XR environments.

Personalized Mentoring and Professional Development

A core component of SPIRE-HCI is individualized mentoring. Through one-on-one meetings, team discussions, and professional development activities, mentors help students identify their goals, address challenges, and develop skills that support future academic and career success.

Students gain experience in:

• Conducting interdisciplinary research
• Working in collaborative research teams
• Technical communication
• Scientific writing
• Graduate school preparation
• Professional networking

Presenting Your Research

At the conclusion of the program, participants present their work at the Iowa State University Summer Research Symposium, joining more than 100 undergraduate researchers from across campus.

Students share the results of their summer projects through:

• Research posters
• Demonstrations and interactive exhibits
• Discussions with faculty and peers
• A five-page research paper documenting their findings

Many SPIRE-HCI projects continue beyond the summer and contribute to conference publications, with student participants frequently recognized as co-authors.

Beyond the Research Lab

SPIRE-HCI is designed to be both academically challenging and personally rewarding. Throughout the summer, participants take part in educational excursions, social events, and team-building activities that help foster connections among students, faculty, and mentors.

These experiences provide opportunities to explore Iowa, build lasting friendships, and become part of a vibrant research community.

We look forward to welcoming you to the program and seeing what you’ll discover.