Undergraduate Research

We support and foster research at all levels of our program. Our faculty conduct research in many broad areas, which provides a range of research opportunities for you.

You will find many research opportunities throughout our undergraduate program. Your first introduction to an interesting research topic may be during a class assignment. You can take that interest further through directed readings, independent research, or by participating in one of our study-abroad research programs.

Independent student research is typically conducted with guidance from a faculty mentor. You may work on a project over the course of a summer or a semester through an independent study or study abroad research course, or over a whole year as part of a departmental Honors thesis.

You will also have opportunities to work collaboratively on specific, on-going projects. You might work on a joint publication with a faculty member. You could work with fellow students to subtitle an independent film, or compile a briefing book for the National Archives.

To find projects like these, talk to your professors or academic advisor. They can point you in the right direction. You should also take a look at the faculty research pages to see what individual professors have done. If someone is working on a project that interests you, or is related to an idea for a project you have, send them an email. Ask if they use undergraduate research assistants, or if they could meet with you to discuss your goals.

Many of our students go on to publish independently, win competitive scholarships, and teach at home and abroad. We are proud of our vibrant intellectual atmosphere, which leads to new discoveries within our fields.