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.
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. (Leadership and innovation scholarships are also available.)
Undergraduate Research Program
The Undergraduate Research Program helps students engage in research with UW faculty mentors in all disciplines.The Undergraduate Research Program 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.
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
Graphic design internship opportunity
August 19, 2021
Internship description Undergraduate Academic Affairs seeks a graphic design intern to join the communications team in the Dean’s Office for fall, winter and spring quarters of the 2021-22 academic year and help tell the story of the UW undergraduate academic experience as it connects to UAA programs and initiatives. This is an opportunity for an…
UAA seeks student digital media producer
August 16, 2021
Undergraduate Academic Affairs seeks a digital media producer (undergraduate or graduate student) to join the communications team in the Dean’s Office and help tell the story of the UW undergraduate academic experience, particularly as it connects to UAA programs and initiatives. This work brings the digital media producer deeper insight into the opportunities available to…
A subject to love, a determination to speak her truth
June 11, 2021
The diagnosis came on her first day of fall quarter. Cancer. Maha Alhomoud, newly arrived from Saudi Arabia had two options: Return home for treatment or stay in Seattle, attend the University of Washington and receive cancer treatment in the states. Maha Alhomoud at the UN General Assembly as a youth delegate for Saudi Arabia…