Smith Psychology Club

Research at Smith College

Research plays a crucial role in expanding our understanding of the world and contributing to the well-being of society. For students, research extends learning beyond the classroom and encourages active engagement, innovative collaboration, and problem-solving. It’s fantastic work experience, even for those who aren’t pursuing careers in academia or industry research, because it develops skills that can bolster your CV/résumé.

Since the college prioritizes undergraduates, Smith students don’t have to compete with graduate students for opportunities, such as conference attendance, publication authorship, and research leadership roles, as they often would at larger universities. As of 2026, around 80% of Smith students, including 50% of STEM majors, conduct research or complete one-on-one projects with professors before graduating.

Research Skills

Some skills you might gain in courses and/or labs include but are not limited to:

  • Academic database navigation for literature reviews (e.g. PsycINFO, PubMed)

  • Computer programming and markdown languages (e.g. LaTeX, Python, MatLab, R, R Markdown)

  • Online software that allows for collaboration and publication (e.g. GitHub, Overleaf)

  • Data collection and survey management software (e.g. Qualtrics, REDCap)

  • Data analysis software (e.g. Excel, Google Sheets, RStudio, SPSS)

How to Get Involved in On-Campus Psychology Research

Students are typically expected to take foundational courses in statistics and research methods before joining a lab. For more information on psychology research courses and labs at Smith College, please read through the slideshow below.

Volunteering

Volunteering in a research lab allows you to demonstrate interest in a faculty member’s work and to explore your own research interests in a given academic discipline. It’s worth keeping in mind that conducting research is like having another class or job. You may spend several hours a week reading and writing about your topic, doing hands-on work, collaborating with others, or preparing for a presentation. Evaluate your course and extracurricular commitments, and make sure that you are ready to dedicate time and mental energy to a project that you are passionate about.

AEMES

Achieving Excellence in Mathematics, Engineering, and Sciences (AEMES) is a program that serves students interested in STEM and promotes the success of students from social groups historically underrepresented in those fields. For more information on AEMES fellowships and opportunities, please visit the AEMES page on the official college website.

STRIDE

Student Research in Departments (STRIDE) is a program where incoming Smith students with outstanding academic and personal qualifications receive a financial scholarship throughout all four years at Smith and an additional stipend for the first two years linked to a research assistant (RA) position. For more information on STRIDE, please visit the STRIDE page on the official college website.

SURF

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is a program where students can apply to conduct research in on-campus labs for 8-10 weeks over the summer. Students receive a financial stipend to help offset summer housing costs and other personal expenses. For more information on SURF, please visit the SURF page on the Smith College Clark Science Center’s website.

How to Get Involved in Off-Campus Psychology Research

Students interested in pursuing off-campus research opportunities often apply for summer positions, but virtual and part-time opportunities may also be available during the academic year.

Five (Now Four!) College Consortium

Some research labs at other academic institutions in the consortium are open to Smith College students. Interested Smith psychology students must reach out to principal investigators, professors, and/or lab managers to see if they’re eligible to apply. If you’re unsure on how to reach out, check the Professional Development page for tips on writing a cold email.

Other Institutions

Psychology research can occur in a variety of settings, such as small- and mid-sized colleges, R1 universities, medical centers, and non-profit organizations. During their time at Smith, psychology students have snagged research opportunities at:

  • postsecondary institutions in the United States (e.g. Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Georgetown University; Northeastern University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Massachusetts Amherst)

  • postsecondary institutions outside of the United States (e.g. Tsinghua University, VNU University of Education)

  • medical centers (e.g. Brattleboro Retreat, McLean Hospital, Lurie Center for Autism)

Students interested in conducting psychology research at off-campus institutions are encouraged to explore university laboratory websites and the research internship pages of medical centers. Feel free to check out lab accounts on Twitter/X and Bluesky or the Psychology Jobs & Internships website.

Be intentional about when and where you pursue a research internship, as experiences can vary considerably. Working as a virtual RA for a lab in an Ivy League school offers a very different experience from working as an in-person intern at a research hospital. For those who are interested in pursuing an internship abroad, please make sure that all necessary travel paperwork has been completed beforehand. If you have any questions about international internships, you can contact the Lazarus Center for Career Development and the Lewis Global Studies Center.