Undergraduate & Master’s Student Research Opportunities
Opportunities to work closely with faculty researchers and engage in ongoing research projects are available to both graduate and undergraduate students at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. This is a listing of current research opportunities at BU Wheelock that are open to Boston University undergraduate and master’s students.
Note to Faculty: To post an opportunity to this page, fill out the Undergraduate & Master’s Student Research Opportunity form. If you have filled a position, complete the Hiring an Undergraduate or Master’s Student form.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Eve Manz, Science Education
The science education research team is exploring how to redesign the elementary science investigation to engage young students in grappling with uncertainty. The project is integrated into a multi-year research practice partnership with Somerville Public Schools. The team works closely with K–5 teachers and district leaders.
Our team is seeking an undergraduate student who is interested in gaining experience in science education research and working collaboratively with classroom teachers and young learners. You will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of experiences in educational research, including design, data collection, and data organization/analysis.
If interested, contact Eve Manz at eimanz@bu.edu.
Posted Sept. 27, 2022
Kathleen Corriveau, Social Learning Lab
The Social Learning Lab is seeking to fill an undergraduate research position focusing on social cognitive development in young learners. Our research team studies how young children make decisions about who to trust and what to learn when interacting with others. We have several ongoing projects exploring how children learn with others in science inquiry, much of this work in collaboration with the Museum of Science, Boston. We also have a large international study exploring how young children develop an understanding of what to believe in the age of misinformation and disinformation.
If interested, contact Kathleen Corriveau at kcorriv@bu.edu.
Posted Sept. 27, 2022
Naomi Caselli, Sign Language Acquisition
The LexLab is seeking to fill an undergraduate research position focused on sign language acquisition. Our lab uses a variety of research methods to document the structure of the ASL lexicon and understand how early language experiences shape language acquisition among deaf children learning ASL. Lab communication is in ASL, with interpreters to assist new signers as needed.
We seek an undergraduate student research assistant to help with data analysis, a student who has computer programming background would be an especially good fit (though computer programming skills are not necessary). This position will give students an opportunity to learn about sign language research, and to learn to use ASL in a working environment.
If interested, please contact Naomi Caselli at nkc@bu.edu.
Posted Sept. 27, 2022
Meghan Shaughnessy, Elementary Mathematics Teacher Education
One project aims to support teachers in leading more equitable discussions across mathematics and literacy. A second project aims to support teacher educators in supporting the development of preservice teachers’ capabilities with eliciting and interpreting student thinking. A third project aims to support the development of mentor teachers’ capacity to support preservice teachers’ capabilities with eliciting and interpreting student thinking.
If interested, please contact Meghan Shaughnessy at mshaugh@bu.edu.
Posted Sept. 27, 2022
Ariel Tichnor-Wagner, Educational Policy
She is looking for someone to join the research team with an interest in teacher agency and professionalism who would assist in data collection. This includes observations of professional learning sessions and conducting interviews with educators.
If interested, please contact Ariel Tichnor-Wagner at arieltw@bu.edu.
Posted Dec. 2, 2022
Leslie Dietiker, Teaching & Learning
This position is expected to work 5 hours per week at the school year rate.
If interested, please contact Leslie Dietiker at dietiker@bu.edu.
Posted Dec. 5, 2022
Expiration Date: Jul. 31, 2023
Maria Teresa Coutinho, Child Health Equity Lab
Students will be exposed to major components of mixed methods research procedures integrating quantitative and qualitative data, including data collection, analyses, interpretation as well as manuscript development. Individuals with the ability to support the team in developing an online presence (e.g. website, social media) are encouraged to apply. Additionally, while not required individuals with bilingual Spanish skills are highly encouraged to apply. If interested, please email Maria Teresa Coutinho at mariatc@bu.edu – include in your email information about your interests in these projects and attach a resume.
This position is expected to work 5-8 hours per week at the school year rate.
If interested, please contact Maria Teresa Coutinho at mariatc@bu.edu.
Posted Dec. 7, 2022
Expiration Date: Feb. 11, 2023
Nancy Nelson, Early Reading Assessment
For more information, contact Nancy Nelson (njnelson@bu.edu).
Posted Jan. 19, 2023
Edson Filho, PRO Wellness
The PRO Wellness program is a NCAA-funded research project consisting of eight experiential workshop sessions on mental skills and recovery-stress balance. Specifically, the main purpose of the PRO Wellness project is to examine the influence of an eight-session intervention program on student-athletes’ recovery-stress balance states, as measured through the Recovery-Stress Balance Questionnaire in Sports (RESTQ-Sport). A secondary goal consists of examining the influence of each intervention session on student-athletes’ perceived general well-being levels.
The student hired for this project will be involved in the design of the workshop sessions, help with the organization and delivery of the program, and be involved with data input and analysis.
Contact: Dr. Edson Filho efilho@bu.edu
Posted Jan. 23, 2023
Master’s Research Opportunities
Maria Teresa Coutinho, Child Health Equity Lab
Students will be exposed to major components of mixed methods research procedures integrating quantitative and qualitative data, including data collection, analyses, interpretation as well as manuscript development. Individuals with the ability to support the team in developing an online presence (e.g. website, social media) are encouraged to apply. Additionally, while not required individuals with bilingual Spanish skills are highly encouraged to apply. If interested, please email Maria Teresa Coutinho at mariatc@bu.edu – include in your email information about your interests in these projects and attach a resume.
This position is expected to work 5-8 hours per week at the school year rate.
If interested, please contact Maria Teresa Coutinho at mariatc@bu.edu.
Posted Dec. 7, 2022
Expiration Date: Feb. 11, 2023