In addition to its award-winning research, the ABF is known for building a pipeline of diverse future scholars through its undergraduate fellowship program. Formally known as the Montgomery Summer Research Diversity Fellowship Program, the ABF Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) provides undergraduate students with hands-on training in empirical legal and social science research during an intensive eight-week summer program. Established in 1988, the SURF program promotes broader inclusion in law and social science by breaking barriers often experienced by individuals from diverse backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in academia.
Each SURFer works closely with an ABF Research Professor who serves as a mentor throughout the summer. SURFers enter the program with an initial research idea and, with the guidance from their mentor, develop it into an original research proposal, affording them the opportunity to be mentored by and take part in sociolegal research with experienced scholars. They also attend a weekly seminar on law and society led by ABF Research Professor Christopher W. Schmidt. Through discussions of foundational scholarship, major debates, and core questions in law and society research, the seminar deepens Fellows’ understanding of the field.
SURFers engage regularly with ABF faculty, staff, affiliates, and visiting scholars, as well as researchers and practitioners from universities, research centers, and community-based organizations across the country. Recent conversations in their Summer Scholar Series have included scholars and experts from the University of Chicago Center for Effective Government, the University of Chicago Global Human Rights Clinic, the Lucy Parsons Lab, the University of Illinois Chicago Center for Research in Law and Justice, and Harvard University.
“I gained insight into the socio-legal field, both in the academic sphere and in other industries,” said Andrada Nicolae, 2024 SURF alum. “I was exposed to the rigorous research being undertaken by academics across Chicago and was then able to contextualize this research throughout our site visits. I learned new research methods, connected with inspiring professionals, and, guided by the insights of the legal academics we met, developed a plan for reaching my professional aspirations.”
Many SURF alumni go on to pursue academic careers in the social sciences and law as legal practitioners, deans, and professors of law as well as in the fields of government, social policy, and business. Notable alumni include Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, California Supreme Court Associate Justice (1992 alum); Erika George, Associate Dean for Equity, Justice, and Engagement, Professor of Law, and Ernest Haddad Faculty Scholar at Boston University School of Law (1992 alum); Danielle Holley-Walker, Dean at Howard University School of Law (1995 alum); and Grey Mateo-Harris, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP (2004 alum).
The ABF is proud to lead the community and the nation in fostering the next generation of scholars and researchers who can be the catalysts for broader diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia.
The SURF program has received generous support from the Kenneth F. and Harle G. Montgomery Foundation, the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), Walmart, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, AT&T, the University of Chicago, and several individual donors.
To view a list of the past Fellows, visit the Former Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows page.