What’s included below is only a selection of research opportunities currently available to undergraduate students. You are encouraged to read through these postings and contact mentors whose projects you are interested in.
This is not a comprehensive list of all the undergraduate research opportunities available at UGA, and many faculty have opportunities that may not be listed here.
Mentors may post a research opportunity to the list at any time throughout the year. Mentors, contact [email protected] to advertise a research opportunity.
Fall 2026
Who:Dr. Josh Dunlap
Department: College of Engineering
Study Area: Energy Analysis, Thermodynamics
Date Advertised: April 8, 2026
I am looking for engineering undergraduates interested in applying energy analysis to agroecological systems (agroforestry, organic farms, sustainable forestry, etc.). This is a great opportunity for students with an interest in applying energy analysis to real world systems and environmental sustainability.
I have several areas students may assist with depending on their interests. These may include developing thermodynamic models of different ecological agriculture systems and/or assisting with the development of new energy analysis methods specific to these systems.
At the end, students will have a better understanding of how to apply energy analysis methods to agroecological systems, skills that can translate well into further academic work or be useful in any engineering firm.
Students of any engineering discipline may apply, but must have passed ENGR 3140 Engineering Thermodynamics with a B or better and have a GPA > 3.0.
To apply please email Dr. Dunlap at [email protected] with your name, resume, why you are interested (are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree, working in an energy-related industry, or environmental consulting, etc.), and what you hope to gain from this project.
Who: Dr. Allison L. Skinner
Department: Psychology
Study Area: Racial Attitudes and Biases, Systems of Inequality, Social Psychology
Date Advertised: April 8, 2026
We’re looking for undergraduate research assistants who are interested in gaining research experience in social psychology and/or with the study or racial attitudes and biases. Our current projects examine attitudes toward interracial couples and the impact of awareness of historical racial injustices. We are seeing undergraduate research assistants for summer 2026 and fall 2026 (ideally those who are interested in staying with the lab for multiple semesters). Strong work ethic and careful attention to detail are important qualities for this position.
Research assistants will be responsible for conducting qualitative interviews, transcribing recorded conversations, tracking and organizing data files, and engaging in qualitative coding of conversational data. This opportunity is perfect for anyone who would like more experience in data collection or is interested in the research process or graduate school. You should be able to commit 9 (or more) hours per week.
To learn more about the work we do in the lab, visit the GABBA Lab website (https://allisonlskinner.wixsite.com/socialcognition). You can submit an application by clicking this link (also available on the “join us” tab on the lab website. If you have questions or would like to reach out to Dr. Skinner directly, you can email her at [email protected].
Summer 2026
Who: Dr. Allison L. Skinner
Department: Psychology
Study Area: Racial Attitudes and Biases, Systems of Inequality, Social Psychology
Date Advertised: April 8, 2026
We’re looking for undergraduate research assistants who are interested in gaining research experience in social psychology and/or with the study or racial attitudes and biases. Our current projects examine attitudes toward interracial couples and the impact of awareness of historical racial injustices. We are seeing undergraduate research assistants for summer 2026 and fall 2026 (ideally those who are interested in staying with the lab for multiple semesters). Strong work ethic and careful attention to detail are important qualities for this position.
Research assistants will be responsible for conducting qualitative interviews, transcribing recorded conversations, tracking and organizing data files, and engaging in qualitative coding of conversational data. This opportunity is perfect for anyone who would like more experience in data collection or is interested in the research process or graduate school. You should be able to commit 9 (or more) hours per week.
To learn more about the work we do in the lab, visit the GABBA Lab website (https://allisonlskinner.wixsite.com/socialcognition). You can submit an application by clicking this link (also available on the “join us” tab on the lab website. If you have questions or would like to reach out to Dr. Skinner directly, you can email her at [email protected].
Spring 2026
Who: Dr. Mackensie Minniear
Department: Communication Studies
Study Area: Black Ancestry, Identity, and Gardening
Date Advertised: November 12, 2025
We’re looking for undergraduate research assistants with a passion for learning more about communication and identity. Our current project examines how Black gardeners use gardening to understand their family ancestry and identity. We will be conducting interviews, transcribing, and engaging in qualitative data analysis.
This opportunity is perfect for anyone who would like more experience in data collection or is interested in the research process or graduate school. In particular, this position is ideal if you love learning more about people and hearing their stories. You should be able to commit a minimum of 5 hours per week.
If you are interested, please email [email protected] with your name, resume, and why this research project appeals to you.
Who: Dr. Amedee Marchand Martella and Dr. Logan Fiorella
Department: Educational Psychology
Study Area: Effectiveness and Efficiency of Various Ways of Teaching Math Content
Date Advertised: October 22, 2025
Dr. Amedee Marchand Martella and Dr. Logan Fiorella are seeking undergraduate students for their labs to assist as research assistants in the Department of Educational Psychology. Research assistants will aid in the collection of data for an in-person learning study comparing the effectiveness and efficiency of various ways of teaching math content. No prior research experience is required—training will be provided. If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact Dr. Ryan Patrick ([email protected]).
If you wish to apply, please include the following information about yourself in your email:
- Tell us a bit about yourself (major, class standing, career interests, etc.).
- Do you have any experience with research (not required)?
- Why are you interested in getting involved in research?
- How many semesters would you be willing to commit to this RA position?
- How many hours a week would you be available to work in the lab?
Who: Dr. Rachel Gabara and Dr. Jonathan Haddad
Department: Department of Romance Languages
Study Area: Global French
Date Advertised: September 2, 2025
As part of the French in Higher Education grant, sponsored by the Embassy of France in the United States and Villa Albertine, the Department of Romance Languages is seeking to support innovative undergraduate research that deepens our understanding of French as a global language. The French language counts more than 320 million speakers; the fifth most widely spoken language in the world, it is increasingly spoken in plurilingual environments. Visual and graphic artists, media makers, performers, writers, diplomats, and entrepreneurs use it to communicate and to create, as their first or second or third language. Students interested in exploring the dynamic nature of French in the 21st century are encouraged to propose an original project to be completed in Spring 2026 while enrolled for 1-3 credit hours of faculty-supervised FREN 4960R. Two proposals will be selected as winners of $1,500 scholarship stipends; awardees will present their research at the 2026 CURO Symposium in April.
To apply, send a 500-word proposal that includes the name of the professor who has agreed to advise you, along with a one-page résumé and an unofficial copy of your UGA transcript, to Dr. Rachel Gabara ([email protected]) and Dr. Jonathan Haddad ([email protected]) by November 5, 2025. Proposals and final projects may be written in English or French but must rely on extensive and substantive French-language research; eligibility therefore requires the completion of FREN 3010 or the equivalent by the end of the Fall 2025 semester. Award determinations will be made based on the originality and feasibility of the proposed research as well as candidates’ academic records, with priority given to declared French majors. If you wish to count FREN 4960R toward your French major, please plan to enroll for 3 credit hours.
Fall 2025
Who: Dr. Mary Ager
Department: School of Social Work
Study Area: Debt as a safety net? An analysis of public social spending
Date advertised: August 13, 2025
Are you interested in social policy, economic inequality, and how government spending impacts everyday lives? Join Dr. Mary Ager’s research team to analyze data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on public social spending and household debt across 17 industrialized countries from 1995–2024.
Over the past thirty years, the cost of living has outpaced earnings while the welfare state has shifted from providing a broad social safety net to emphasizing personal responsibility. During this same period, low- and middle-income (LMI) individuals have increasingly relied on credit to cover basic expenses. These changes in social policy have occurred alongside financial policy shifts that expanded access to credit products, raising important questions about how these two systems—welfare and credit—interact.
This project uses OECD data to conduct an in-depth statistical analysis of short-term borrowing in the context of public spending on social benefits. By examining these two policy arenas together, the study seeks to understand whether there is a measurable relationship between social spending and household debt across advanced welfare states.
This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in quantitative data analysis and social policy analysis while contributing to a project with real-world relevance. Training and mentorship will be provided.
Responsibilities: Download and organize data from OECD.Stat, clean and prepare datasets, create tables and charts, review relevant literature, and support the research team in preparing findings for presentations or publications.
Qualifications: Undergraduate students with at least one research methods or statistics course, strong organizational skills, and an interest in social policy. Familiarity with Excel is required; experience with SPSS, SAS, or R is a plus but not required.
To apply, send a brief statement of interest (1–2 paragraphs) and your resume to [email protected] by August 15th, 2025.
Who: Kevan Lamm, PhD
Department: Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
Study Area: Science communication, agriculture and the food system, and outreach
Date advertised: July 8, 2025
Did you know most of the plants you buy from a greenhouse are not grown in soil? I’m working with a team of horticulture experts to communicate new techniques and technologies with growers around the country and globe. Specifically, we are developing new growing media (think soil substitutes) that are sustainable, safe, and economical. I’m looking for enthusiastic and hard working team members to help transform scientific content into usable and actionable documents tailored to non-scientists. If you are interested in being involved in the emerging field of science communication, or if you have a strong interest in journalism, marketing, or graphic design – we probably have an opportunity for you!
Please contact the project lead, Kevan Lamm ([email protected]) for more information. If you are interested in learning more, please send an email with your resume and/or CV to Kevan Lamm at [email protected]. He will evaluate applications on a rolling basis.
Who: Dr. Kathryn Manis
Department: UGA Libraries
Study Area: LGBTQIA+ History and Archives
Date advertised: June 12, 2025
We are looking for an undergraduate researcher to partner with me and Meagan Duever (UGA GIS Librarian) to create a digital storytelling and mapping resource associated with UGA Special Collections assortment of Gay Travel Guides. Whether the final version uses StoryMaps, Omeka, or another tool of interest to the selected student, our goal is to make these unique and significant historical materials more accessible through storytelling and visualization strategies.
The breakdown of the work will involve an initial period in Special Collections becoming familiar with the materials themselves, check-ins with Meagan and Dr. Manis along the way, training with Meagan on the selected tool(s), and a final stage of compiling and constructing the visualization. This opportunity is also associated with UGA Libraries, Department of English, and School of Art co-hosting the 2026 iteration of the international Queer Bibliography conference and the student will be expected to present about this project at that conference in March.
This opportunity is a good fit for anyone interested in archival research or careers, digital libraries, data visualization tools and techniques, and those with subject matter interest and/or expertise in Queer history and culture. The student should be able to commit to an average of 5 hours per week in the Fall 2025 semester. There is the possibility of extending this project into additional related work in the Summer or Spring. Dr. Manis will support the selected student to present at the CURO symposium and pursue additional professional development opportunities, if desired.
To submit your interest or ask any questions, email Dr. Manis ([email protected]) with a brief cover letter (a few sentences is fine!) and CV/resume.
Who: Dr. Brian Bauer
Department: Department of Psychology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Study Area:Clinical Psychology (Suicide)
Date advertised: June 3, 2025
We’re looking primarily for detail-oriented, fun-loving people who would like to apply to Psychology PhD programs in the future. Most of our ongoing research tasks include qualitative analysis (i.e., reading and coding qualitative responses) or data cleaning with R and Python (additional training included). Successful applicants will have already completed Research Methods (PSYC 3980) and Analysis (PSYC 3990). The position will be volunteer. Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any questions about the position!
Please take a look at our website and our UGA pages if you’re interested in learning more about our lab: https://www.ugabauerlab.com/.
And please apply here if you are interested: https://redcap.ovpr.uga.edu/surveys/?s=8AFWH47LWRK9E3TX.
Department: School of Computing
Study Area: Computing and Its Applications
Date advertised: June 3, 2025
The newly constituted CURO / School of Computing Scholars Program provides stipends of $1,000 each to outstanding undergraduate students pursuing a degree associated with computing (computer science, data science, or cognitive science) to participate in faculty-mentored research. Awards are for one semester—either fall, spring, or summer.
The faculty mentor for this research can be a School of Computing faculty member, a faculty member in departments serving Data Science or Cognitive Science majors, or another faculty member whose research involved innovative applications of computing.
The application is available at https://uga.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1984047. For more information, contact Andrea Silletti at [email protected] or Dr. Gagan Agrawal at [email protected].
Who: Dr. Hongyue Sun
Department: College of Engineering
Study Area: Manufacturing, robotics, and AI projects
Date advertised: March 17, 2025
We have multiple undergraduate student positions available and are looking for self-motivated students.
Students can be involved in the project with the following options:
- Research volunteer (e.g., obtaining research experience)
- Course credit
- Paid position
Eligibility:
- GPA > 3.0
- Majored in engineering, CS, or related
- US citizen or permanent resident
Project Outcome: The specific outcomes of this project will be identified by the faculty mentor at the beginning of your collaboration (e.g., demos and publications).
Please fill out the application form (review will be performed on a rolling basis) at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXL5xA7uJ3cc6vQaTzaYXkbtRD8N-lSSMn8fXuMaMUGaj5wQ/viewform?usp=sharing. For more information, please contact Dr. Hongyue Sun at [email protected].
