This year's Library Associates Research Award was presented to senior economics and international studies major Maren Peterson during the symposium keynote address on April 9.

The award grants $250 to students who have shown excellence in research and methodology. All presenters at the symposium were invited to submit papers for consideration.

Peterson's paper is entitled "Songtaews, Tuk-Tuks, and Motorcycles: An Institutional Analysis of the Lack of Public Transportation in Chiang Mai, Thailand."

"While I was studying abroad for a semester, I was frustrated by the ineffective public transportation system in the city I was living in," Peterson said. "I decided to investigate the reasons why it was ineffective as my Civitas independent research project."

After graduation, Peterson plans to work further with international development and has applied for internships in several non-government organizations as well as positions in Thailand and Japan.

"I feel so honored to have won this award," Peterson said. "I really appreciate that Augustana has the Symposium and this award to recognize the students that have done independent research."