Working as a research assistant is a great way to gain hands-on experience in social work research! No prior research experience is needed, just a willingness to learn and work as part of a collaborative research team. Both graduate research assistants (GRAs) and undergraduate research assistants (UGRAs) participate in a variety of faculty-led research projects.
Among other opportunities, GRAs and UGRAs work with faculty to submit abstracts to CPH’s Celebration of Scholarship, where students present their work. GRAs and UGRAs also help faculty submit abstracts to local and national conferences, where they may also have the opportunity to present their work. In addition, there may be opportunities to contribute to manuscripts on topics related to the work you are doing in your faculty supervisor’s lab.
For long-term opportunities hired each year, visit the undergraduate research assistant or graduate research assistant page.
Current Opportunities
Social Work integrative Research Lab (SWiRL) Undergraduate Research Assistants
The Social Work integrative Research Lab (SWiRL) is accepting applications from undergraduate students to become research assistants for the 2022-2023 academic year. SWiRL provides undergraduate students the opportunity to work with MSW students and Social Work faculty on research projects about topics including health inequities, advanced care planning, juvenile justice and child welfare, inter-generational mobility, aging issues, and kinship care. This is an opportunity to develop research skills in a supportive community. Learn more on the undergraduate research assistants page.
Bachelor of Social Work student Alison Purvis and Master of Social Work student Alison Bartley present research at Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary (MaGIC) Conference