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
Drawing her own path one lab at a time
Irika Sinha is making the most of her #HuskyExperience by getting involved in a variety of research projects.
Learn about Irika’s lab experiences >
Research across disciplines
9,045 undergrads brought depth to their academics by participating in research, creative and scholarly endeavors alongside UW faculty mentors.
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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
The 23rd Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium moves online
May 12, 2020
On Friday, May 15, 2020, more than 850 undergraduates will participate in the 23rd Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, which will be held online. When held in person, the UW’s Undergraduate Research Symposium is one of the largest in the country. This year’s online event is likely to follow suit. Student presenters represent all three University…
Field report: Honors course explores whether national parks are in progress or peril
April 22, 2020
This course will take students on an exciting two week field study to the three “wilderness jewels” of Washington state’s national parks, Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades, and follow with class time in autumn quarter. Students should be comfortable hiking moderately strenuous trails almost every day of the trip, camping in remote locations, and…
University of Washington junior Virginia Burton receives prestigious Truman Scholarship
April 15, 2020
Congratulations to University of Washington junior, Virginia Burton, for being selected for the prestigious Truman Scholarship. A highly competitive award, only 62 students were selected from more than 773 nominations. The scholarship recognizes future leaders driven to make change at the policy level. Students are selected based on outstanding leadership, demonstrated civic engagement, academic potential…