UCSB Library has named Samuel Liu and Shirley Qui as the recipients of the 2026 Library Award for Undergraduate Research (LAUR). This year’s winners were selected for their deep engagement with Library collections, services and resources, and their ability to produce high-quality, scholarly work. Liu will receive a first-place award of $750 and Qiu a second-place award of $500. The public is invited to celebrate the winners at an awards ceremony and reception on Wednesday, May 27, 4 PM.
Liu, a senior majoring in Communication and Sociology, received the top prize for his project, "'It’s Not Just a Job, It’s Literally My Housing': Resident Assistants, Job Embeddedness, and Dissent." Advised by Dr. Karen Myers, Liu’s research applied organizational communication theory to the experiences of UCSB Resident Assistants, exploring complex power dynamics and "embeddedness." Judges described his work as original, compelling, and "extremely relevant." Liu also exhibited a thorough and sophisticated use of Library collections, services and resources as he conducted his research, seeking out the assistance of librarians, attending multiple workshops, and honing his search skills across interdisciplinary databases.
Qiu, a junior majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Statistics & Data Science, earned second place for her innovative study and senior thesis, "1 + 1 < 1: Large Language Models in Insight Problem Solving." Under the guidance of Dr. Jonathan Schooler, Qiu utilized psychological methods to test how "dual" AI agents compare to solo agents in creative problem-solving. Her work was praised for navigating the intersection of computer science and psychology. The judges were also impressed by Qiu’s clear AI use statement, which can serve as a model for future research. Her use of Library collections, services and resources included thorough and complex searching of databases, consulting research guides, and attending workshops.
In response to the evolving research landscape, the LAUR judging panel, comprised of UCSB faculty and librarians, updated the judging criteria this year to include discipline-specific research narrative questions. Submissions were evaluated based on:
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A final research or creative project.
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A reflective essay describing the research process and search strategies.
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A bibliography describing the range and depth of research materials.
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A newly required AI disclosure statement to promote transparency and acknowledge the role of emerging technologies in the research process.
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Demonstrated growth in navigating Library collections, services and resources.
Judges pointed to the overall rigor and quality of the research in the submissions as an indication that LAUR has become a highly desired recognition for UCSB undergraduate researchers.
The 2026 Library Award for Undergraduate Research was made possible with generous support from Dr. Jenny Cook-Gumperz, faculty emerita.
