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College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Mahua Biswas working on the Scanning Electron Microscope.

Discover, Innovate, and Create

Research by students, faculty, and staff in the College of Arts and Sciences advances knowledge and contributes to our global society. CAS members are deeply engaged in a wide variety of research and creative projects. Find out what we are doing and how you can get involved!

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Research in Focus

Photo Drs. LAura Vogel, Allison Harris and James M. Scott

CAS faculty members earn Universtiy Professor status

Three College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) faculty members have earned distinction as University Professors:  Drs. Allison Harris (Physics), James M. Scott (Politics and Government), and Laura Vogel (Biological Sciences, CAS Dean's Office). 

  

Dr. Emily M. Bender presenting

Intersection of AI, humanities explored at university symposium

Dr. Emily M. Bender, a professor of linguistics at the University of Washington, delivered the first of four keynote addresses on Wednesday, April 16, titled “Resisting Dehumanization in the Age of AI: The View from the Humanities."  

Photo pf pages of a book

New book examines connections between neoliberalism and young adult literature

A new book co-authored by Distinguished Professor of English Emerita Roberta Seelinger Trites and an associate professor of English education in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas examines the concept of neoliberalism and its manifestations in young adult literature. 

Student Researcher Accomplishments

Photo of Meghna Gogoi

Meet the April 2025 GradBird Scholar:  Meghna Gogoi

The Graduate School has selected Meghna Gogoi as its April 2025 GradBird Scholar recipient. GradBird Scholar is an initiative to recognize graduate students for their scholarly endeavors at Illinois State University.Gogoi is an international student from India and currently in her final semester of the sociology master’s program. 

Photo of students presenting

Empowering student researchers:  OSF Healthcare Analytics-Department of Mathematics collaboration

This May marks the third anniversary of the strategic collaboration between OSF HealthCare Analytics and the Department of Mathematics at Illinois State University, a partnership dedicated to fostering innovation and student research in data science, statistical modeling, and health care analytics.

Photo of Dany Yaacoub and Andy Santarelli

In a major milestone for Illinois State University's Department of Physics, the first two graduates of the new physics M.S. program are both heading to globally renowned doctoral programs.  

This fall, Andy Santarelli and Dany Yaacoub will continue their graduate studies at Yale University and the University of Toronto, respectively. Both students earned bachelor’s degrees in physics at Illinois State in 2023 and remained at the University to enroll in the new physics M.S. program.

Make your impact.

Get involved in research at Illinois State.

You can make major contributions and move society in a positive direction. CAS faculty, students, and staff team up with each other and work solo on projects they’re passionate about.

Supporting Your Research

You have important work to do. Here’s how we support your research efforts.

Student Travel Funds

CAS Student Travel Funds are internal awards intended to promote high-quality research, scholarship, and creative activity by undergraduate/graduate students of the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University. This is intended to supplement travel funds provided by departments/schools or other organizations to help defray the costs of travel. Awards may be funded up to a maximum of $250 for travel to a professional conference or meeting to present the results of research or creative activity. A student may be funded once per academic year.  Undergraduate students who are presenting internationally or in non-contiguous U.S. states may be eligible for an additional $250 in funding.   

Selection Process and Criteria

The Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will make these awards. Applications from Undergraduate students with either a first or second major in the College as well as Graduate students in a College of Arts and Sciences graduate program will be considered. Students must be presenting, not just attending.

Proposal Process and Submission Deadlines

Travel is funded during the fiscal year (July 1- June 30) in which the travel takes place. Note: Applications may be submitted at any time but will be awarded based on the timing of the trip and availability of funds.

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted at any time but will be awarded based on the timing of the trip and availability of funds.

Apply Now

Check out the Travel Fund Instructions (ULID login required)

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding the CAS Student Travel Fund, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (309) 438-5669.

Resources For Faculty

Faculty and Staff in the CAS can access important resources by visiting the CAS Faculty/Staff Intranet