Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review

The Editorial Board is proud to announce Vol. IV, No. 2 of the Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review. As the Editor-in-Chief for the 2025-2026 academic year, I am pleased to share that this edition brings us our largest cohort of authors yet – a testament to the volume of incredible research done by undergraduates at this institution and beyond. 

The PUR is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, student-run undergraduate research journal sponsored by the Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1981 by students much like ourselves, we are now coming up on the journal’s 45th anniversary and the 5th anniversary of its revival in 2021. This year brings new horizons to the PUR: we were recently recognized by the National Council of Honors College in their Honors Publication Contest with a second-place award, and this edition marks the first print publication since 2013. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of previous Editors-in-Chief and board members, who have worked tirelessly to reestablish the journal and bring each issue to you.

I would like to first thank the authors whose works are featured in this edition and span across a dazzling array of disciplines, from linguistics to ecology and philosophy to ludology. Next, thank you to the Editorial Board, who run the show from first review to final copy, and our peer editors, who volunteer their time to uphold the integrity and tradition of peer review at the journal. Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the invaluable administrative and logistical support we have received from the Honors College and University of Pittsburgh Library Systems; in particular, Dr. Joshua Cannon, Abby Chen, and Marin Dremock. 

We understand that the current academic landscape can feel uncertain and challenging. As the situation around federal research funding continues to evolve, we encourage you, our readers and fellow undergraduate researchers, to keep forging ahead, dreaming big, and pursuing those unanswered questions.

We welcome any comments, questions, or suggestions via email at pur@pitt.edu. 

Sincerely,

Katelyn Chen, Editor-in-Chief, A&S ‘27