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Over the summer a group of ɫ����Ƶ students discovered that research doesn’t necessarily have to performed in a lab. 

Funded by an innovation grant through the Provost Office at ɫ����Ƶ, students last spring were invited to apply and participate in an undergraduate research program intended to serve underrepresented students.

“We wanted to reach a broad swath of students from minoritized groups, whether that meant race, ethnicity, social economic status, family situations, married students, students with kids, those who are caretakers...it was important for us to engage these students,” said political science Associate Professor Inkyoung Kim, one of the mentors and creators of the program.

Assistant Professor of Elementary and Childhood Education Jackie Boivin and Associate Professor of STEM Heather Pacheco-Guffrey are also mentors and co-creators.

“It was important to not only target minoritized students, but also students who are early on in their careers at ɫ����Ƶ,” Pacheco-Guffrey said. “We wanted to provide steppingstones for students to succeed and reach higher levels in their education.”

One of the students accepted to the program, Henry James, ’27, a management major and cybersecurity minor, said the experience was eye opening.

“My biggest takeaway is learning how many different aspects and methods there are that can be used for research,” he said.

Henry and the other students’ summer research project focused on the Sustainable Action  , put out by the United Nations Department of Economic Social Affairs. One of which focuses on climate action. The group performed a case study on the smog and chemicals that exist in the air within the Los Angeles area, the emissions-controls California has in place to address the pollution, and the impact it has on the people who live there.

Instead of meeting in a traditional classroom, team members were able to log on and meet virtually for weekly meetings. Students across all disciplines participated, which, they said, opened up diverse conversations throughout the process.

The online format proved to be a huge benefit for students, as many have busy schedules with work, families and other obligations.

This was especially true for philosophy and English major Madyson Esquivel, ’26, who was living back at home in Texas over the summer.

“I appreciate it was offered online because it gives out-of-state students who leave Massachusetts a chance to participate,” Madyson said. “It also gives students the chance to make their own schedules outside of the weekly meetings.”

According to Boivin, students will be given the opportunity to present their research at ɫ����Ƶ’s mid-year symposium or at the campus event known as STARS, the Student Arts & Research Symposium, something Henry plans on doing.

“I want to get the most out of my college experience as I can, that means doing things I may not always have the opportunity to do,” he said. “ɫ����Ƶ offers a lot of different opportunities, and research is one of them. Learning how to research effectively is a really good skill to have, not only for college but in real life.”

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