Research
The ripple effect of undergraduate research is far-reaching. Undergraduates work alongside some of the university’s most accomplished faculty to help solve society’s most intractable problems. Together, their work spans all majors and is conducted in labs, libraries, communities, art studios and nature. This immersive education prepares students for careers in research, teaches invaluable skills like persistence, teamwork, critical thinking and creative problem-solving, and advances our basic understanding of how things work. Students love it, too. More than 80% of them participate in research over the course of their undergraduate education.Â
What you’ll find here: Undergraduate research opportunities // Research led by UAA programs // Stories about undergraduate and UAA research
Turning research into meaningful policy
Maha Alhomoud’s goal is to leverage her research into policy that shapes the development of sustainable, inclusive and progressive healthcare and employment policies in the Middle East
Daniel Chen receives Goldwater Scholarship
Chen is an active undergraduate researcher, earning a Levinson Emerging Scholars and Mary Gates Research scholarship as well. Read about his research at the Institute for Systems Biology.
Undergraduate research opportunities
Mary Gates Endowment for Students
Scholarships for students to carry out a research project in any field under the guidance of a faculty mentor, with additional support from co-mentors such as graduate students or postdoctoral associates. Projects can include laboratory or other quantitative or qualitative research, community-based research, creative arts or other scholarly work. ( and scholarships are also available.)
Office of Undergraduate Research
The Office of Undergraduate Research helps students engage in research with UW faculty mentors in all disciplines. The Office of Undergraduate Research offers research scholarships, hosts summer research programs, provides courses and workshops, convenes the Undergraduate Research Symposium and summer symposia, and supports the Undergraduate Research Leaders program.
Research led by UAA programs
Research is a vital part of Undergraduate Academic Affairs’ commitment to undergraduate success. Our researchers investigate the most effective learning and support strategies for a wide range of students, whether they are transfer, first-generation, traditional or non-traditional students. They guide colleagues across campus and the country in designing studies, developing assessment strategies and helping educators turn data into actionable steps.
Community College Research Initiatives
Community College Research Initiatives (CCRI) conducts research on equitable college access, progression and transfer, degree completion and employment in living-wage careers for underserved and diverse students. CCRI researchers provide strategies and guidance to institutions across the country about using data to increase student success and access to higher education.Â
Office of Educational Assessment
Provides a variety of evaluation and assessment services to the UW and outside organizations. Office of Educational Assessment researchers conduct assessment of student and program outcomes and evaluate grant-funded programs. The office also facilitates student course evaluations, classroom test scoring and proctored test administration.
Resilience Lab
The Resilience Lab is running a longitudinal study on student resilience and well-being. The study will follow four cohorts of first-year students through graduation to gain insights into what resources help them through stressful events and contribute to their mental health and academic success.
Stories about undergraduate and UAA research
The intersection of service and leadership
May 15, 2024
On May 23, the °Ä²ÊÍø’s Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center will present the 2024 Spring CELEbration, a forum for undergraduates to showcase their contributions to service, leadership and activist work conducted in partnership with the community.
UAA’s LeAnne Wiles receives Thorud Leadership Award
May 13, 2024
We are delighted to congratulate LeAnne Wiles on being named one of two recipients for the Thorud Leadership Award, the highest award for leadership at the °Ä²ÊÍø! Wiles is the executive director of First Year Programs and Strategic Initiatives in UAA’s Student Academic Services. Wiles began her UW career in First Year Programs…
Innovation revealed at the 27th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
May 8, 2024
On May 17, over 1,200 undergraduates will present cutting-edge research and scholarship at the 27th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, a signature event for the °Ä²ÊÍø.