Working as a research assistant is a great way to gain hands-on experience in social work research. Both graduate and undergraduate research assistants participate in a variety of faculty-led research projects. Research assistants have been able to work with faculty to submit abstracts to local and national conferences, and have participated in presentations and contributed to manuscripts on topics such as foster youth aging out of care, advance care planning, and non-pharmacologic interventions for older adults and their caregivers
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