Research Opportunities

"When I joined a lab, I watched firsthand as graduate students navigated through different phases of the research process - designing a study, collecting data, analyzing that data - and was even able to participate in that process myself. No amount of classwork or reading can match that direct experience."

- Micaela Rodriguez, Class of 2020 Concentrator

Working in a research lab is an incredible experience and there are many options available to you! This page is your guide to getting involved in psychology research as an undergraduate at Harvard.

What is Lab Research?

Lab research is how psychological scientists make discoveries. When you work in a lab, you can expect to be involved in all aspects of the experimental research process: completing administrative tasks that keep the lab and its research projects running, reading and reviewing literature, collecting, coding and analyzing data, preparing written and oral reports, and participating in lab meetings and journal clubs. Labs are run by a Principal Investigator (or PI) who is usually a faculty member. Most undergraduates working in labs are closely mentored by a graduate student or postdoc in the lab in addition to the PI.

Over 85% of Psychology concentrators at Harvard conduct research in a lab at some point during their academic career!

Image: Handout with info on how to join a research lab (Click on image for accessible PDF)

Are you interested in getting involved in research in the Psychology Department but not sure where to start? Chat with Garth

Garth Coombs, Ph.D., Preceptor in Psychology
Honors Thesis Program & Undergraduate Research Experience Advisor

Garth is available to chat with Harvard Undergraduate students about any of the following (or more):

  • Research Experiences: What does research in the Department look like? What labs might be a good fit with my particular interests? How do I find and reach out to labs? How can I connect with past undergraduates who have taken lab courses?
  • Post-graduate Plans: How do I set myself up for or apply to graduate school? What about research assistant positions?
  • Honors Thesis: Is a thesis for me? What is the thesis process like? How and when do I get started? Which faculty are eligible to supervise a thesis?

Before your meeting, think about what kinds of research interest you. Which psychology courses did you enjoy the most? Did you read an article or hear a speaker discuss a topic that made you want to learn more?

Email Garth at garthcoombs@fas.harvard.edu with any questions or to schedule an appointment!