Looking for research opportunities? Review the information below for current research opportunities in the sociology department for undergraduate sociology students.
GROW: Social Sciences
Hear from our faculty and students on why they got involved in research and the types of opportunities available to you!
Popular Research Opportunities for Sociology Students:
2023-24 Opportunities
(Last updated: 9/27/23)
Koret Scholars
Apply for a $2,000 Koret Research Scholarship award! Koret Scholarships are available to undergraduate students in any major and in every discipline who are looking for financial support to pursue a research question or creative activity in winter and/or spring 2024. For more details and to apply visit:
https://honors.ucsc.edu/scholarships/koretscholars/index.html.
The application opens September 27, 2023 and the deadline to submit your application is October 22, 2023. Questions can be directed to
ur_hnrs@ucsc.edu.
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Building Belonging:
Prof. Jaimie Morse (Sociology/Legal Studies/GCH) and UCSC alum, Valerie Garcia, are recruiting two undergraduates to work on their research project on access to post-rape medical care and mental health services for Latinx and undocumented students across the UC system. As Building Belonging fellows, students will gain experience in social science research methods (e.g., transcribing interviews, data analysis) and attend weekly meetings. Building Belonging fellows receive a $1,500 fellowship each quarter and are expected to work 10 hours/week. This project is remote.
TO APPLY: please email your application materials (resume, unofficial transcript, and brief statement of interest, max. 250 words) to Co-PI Valerie Garcia (vagigarc@ucsc.edu) by Sunday, Sept. 24. Interviews will be held via Zoom between 2-5pm on Wed., Sept. 27 (please hold this time on your schedule). Selected applicants must accept the fellowship by Fri., Sept. 29.
TO BE ELIGIBLE: sophomores or juniors who meet at least one of the following Building Belonging fellowship criteria:
- EOP eligible
- first-generation
- low income
- under-represented
- or former foster youth
Key requirements and skills that students will need to work on the project:
- Available in Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
- Flexible schedule
- Regular communication via email and Zoom
- Good time management skills
- Ability to work independently and as a team
- Interest in building research skills in the social sciences
- Familiar with relevant student support services, such as the Ethnic Resource Centers, CARE, the Womxn’s Center, or the Cantú Center at UCSC
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Building Belonging: Labor of Decentralization: Promises and Extraction in the Web3 Field
Project Description: This new project delves into the social-technological implications of the Web3 field. Although the crypto bubble has been fermenting for almost a decade, it was not until recently that the public and policymakers started to contemplate its broader implications on financial inclusion, democratic principles, and equality practices. The saga over FTX has constituted yet another warning sign of the potential hazard of decentralized finance (DeFi) that is often hailed as the next fintech revolution. Some key questions surrounding this project include: Does Web3’s vision of decentralization paradoxically reproduce centralization and hierarchy? How do we reimagine the fintech infrastructure to benefit financially deprived gamers and communities? How can social movements respond to the opportunities and crises brought about by Web3 and GameFi? This project is in its nascent stages and necessitates extensive exploratory labor.
Professor Zoe Zhao is looking for an undergraduate assistant for both the Fall and Winter quarter. Prior coursework or experience in qualitative studies is required. Comfortable in learning and utilizing Zotero and Notion for collaborative project management. A foundational understanding of blockchain or familiarity with video game culture is preferred.
TO APPLY: Contact Zoe Zhao (zoezhao@ucsc.edu), Assistant Professor of Sociology, by October 6, 2023.
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Building Belonging: The Impact of Exchange Rate Changes on Global Banks
Project Description: Global banks face foreign exchange risks in their day to day operations as well as accounting procedures. Our lab collects data to measure such risks: including foreign transaction risks, foreign currency translation adjustment, and foreign exchange effect on cash flows. We will collect such data for banks in the EU, Asia, and Latin American countries. Then, we plan to use the data to study the relationship between banks' currency risks and their foreign exchange derivative holdings. All the data collection and analysis can be done remotely over the internet.
Professor Grace Weishi Gu Steadmon, Associate Professor Economics, is looking for an undergraduate assistant for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Students should be diligent, careful, and proficient with Excel. Economics major preferred but not required. Knowledge of Python is preferred but not required. Majority of the project will be collecting data from global banks' annual reports. There will be weekly zoom meetings for 15-30mins to discuss work progress.
Prof. Steadmon will provide students with relevant guidance and readings and possibly Python training for data collection. We will meet once every week to discuss what we want to achieve that week and what questions/difficulties the students face. We will also have instant messaging system for the project through Slack. Students will gain software skills, and learn about global bank operations (how to read annual reports and understand their risk management). They will also be exposed to research process and data collection and cleaning procedures.
TO APPLY: Email Professor Grace Weishi Gu Steadmon (wg7@ucsc.edu) your CV and Transcript by October 6, 2023.
_________________________________
Building Belonging: Attaining Affirmative Action Goals in Public Procurement
Project Description: The federal government annually awards in excess of $150 billion in prime contracts to small businesses, including minority- and women-owned firms, and similarly directs nearly $100 billion more to subcontractors. The scale of federal affirmative action programs in contracting is therefore substantial, with potentially important impacts on industry and the prospects of disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Each federal agency is assigned a goal for small business awards, ranging widely from 11 to 73 percent. In this research project, we will study how the incentives of the program affect an agency's satisfying of its goals and the impact on the effectiveness of government.
Professor Justin Marion is looking for an undergraduate assistant for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The work will be tailored to the student's strengths, but could include data collection and analysis using Excel and/or R, Python, Stata, and the like. It could also entail searching through databases of academic articles to find relevant research.
TO APPLY: Email Justin Marion (marion@ucsc.edu), Professor of Economics, by October 10, 2023.
_________________________________
Building Belonging: Labor of Decentralization: Promises and Extraction in the Web3 Field
Project Description: This new project delves into the social-technological implications of the Web3 field. Although the crypto bubble has been fermenting for almost a decade, it was not until recently that the public and policymakers started to contemplate its broader implications on financial inclusion, democratic principles, and equality practices. The saga over FTX has constituted yet another warning sign of the potential hazard of decentralized finance (DeFi) that is often hailed as the next fintech revolution. Some key questions surrounding this project include: Does Web3’s vision of decentralization paradoxically reproduce centralization and hierarchy? How do we reimagine the fintech infrastructure to benefit financially deprived gamers and communities? How can social movements respond to the opportunities and crises brought about by Web3 and GameFi? This project is in its nascent stages and necessitates extensive exploratory labor.
Professor Zoe Zhao is looking for an undergraduate assistant for both the Fall and Winter quarter. Prior coursework or experience in qualitative studies is required. Comfortable in learning and utilizing Zotero and Notion for collaborative project management. A foundational understanding of blockchain or familiarity with video game culture is preferred.
TO APPLY: Contact Zoe Zhao (zoezhao@ucsc.edu), Assistant Professor of Sociology, by October 6, 2023.
_________________________________
Building Belonging: The Impact of Exchange Rate Changes on Global Banks
Project Description: Global banks face foreign exchange risks in their day to day operations as well as accounting procedures. Our lab collects data to measure such risks: including foreign transaction risks, foreign currency translation adjustment, and foreign exchange effect on cash flows. We will collect such data for banks in the EU, Asia, and Latin American countries. Then, we plan to use the data to study the relationship between banks' currency risks and their foreign exchange derivative holdings. All the data collection and analysis can be done remotely over the internet.
Professor Grace Weishi Gu Steadmon, Associate Professor Economics, is looking for an undergraduate assistant for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Students should be diligent, careful, and proficient with Excel. Economics major preferred but not required. Knowledge of Python is preferred but not required. Majority of the project will be collecting data from global banks' annual reports. There will be weekly zoom meetings for 15-30mins to discuss work progress.
Prof. Steadmon will provide students with relevant guidance and readings and possibly Python training for data collection. We will meet once every week to discuss what we want to achieve that week and what questions/difficulties the students face. We will also have instant messaging system for the project through Slack. Students will gain software skills, and learn about global bank operations (how to read annual reports and understand their risk management). They will also be exposed to research process and data collection and cleaning procedures.
TO APPLY: Email Professor Grace Weishi Gu Steadmon (wg7@ucsc.edu) your CV and Transcript by October 6, 2023.
_________________________________
Building Belonging: Attaining Affirmative Action Goals in Public Procurement
Project Description: The federal government annually awards in excess of $150 billion in prime contracts to small businesses, including minority- and women-owned firms, and similarly directs nearly $100 billion more to subcontractors. The scale of federal affirmative action programs in contracting is therefore substantial, with potentially important impacts on industry and the prospects of disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Each federal agency is assigned a goal for small business awards, ranging widely from 11 to 73 percent. In this research project, we will study how the incentives of the program affect an agency's satisfying of its goals and the impact on the effectiveness of government.
Professor Justin Marion is looking for an undergraduate assistant for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The work will be tailored to the student's strengths, but could include data collection and analysis using Excel and/or R, Python, Stata, and the like. It could also entail searching through databases of academic articles to find relevant research.
TO APPLY: Email Justin Marion (marion@ucsc.edu), Professor of Economics, by October 10, 2023.
_________________________________
Project Description: Ants are abundant, diverse (around 30,000 species worldwide), and are involved in many different ecosystem processes. They are sensitive to disturbance and habitat change, but typically respond to efforts to restore habitats. Students will assist with lab work for a research project that analyzes ant communities that have established after 20 years of tropical forest restoration in southern Costa Rica.
Professor Karen Holl is looking for two undergraduate assistants for Winter and Spring quarter. Competency with computers and spreadsheets including Google Drive, ability to look through a microscope, strong fine motor skills detail-oriented and organized, good communication skills to work with the rest of the lab group
TO APPLY: Email Karen Holl (kholl@ucsc.edu), Professor of Environmental Studies, by November 20, 2023.
Building Belonging: Labor of Decentralization: Promises and Extraction in the Web3 Field
Project Description: This new project delves into the social-technological implications of the Web3 field. Although the crypto bubble has been fermenting for almost a decade, it was not until recently that the public and policymakers started to contemplate its broader implications on financial inclusion, democratic principles, and equality practices. The saga over FTX has constituted yet another warning sign of the potential hazard of decentralized finance (DeFi) that is often hailed as the next fintech revolution. Some key questions surrounding this project include: Does Web3’s vision of decentralization paradoxically reproduce centralization and hierarchy? How do we reimagine the fintech infrastructure to benefit financially deprived gamers and communities? How can social movements respond to the opportunities and crises brought about by Web3 and GameFi? This project is in its nascent stages and necessitates extensive exploratory labor.
Professor Zoe Zhao is looking for an undergraduate assistant for both the Fall and Winter quarter. Prior coursework or experience in qualitative studies is required. Comfortable in learning and utilizing Zotero and Notion for collaborative project management. A foundational understanding of blockchain or familiarity with video game culture is preferred.
TO APPLY: Contact Zoe Zhao (zoezhao@ucsc.edu), Assistant Professor of Sociology, by October 6, 2023.
_________________________________
Building Belonging: The Impact of Exchange Rate Changes on Global Banks
Project Description: Global banks face foreign exchange risks in their day to day operations as well as accounting procedures. Our lab collects data to measure such risks: including foreign transaction risks, foreign currency translation adjustment, and foreign exchange effect on cash flows. We will collect such data for banks in the EU, Asia, and Latin American countries. Then, we plan to use the data to study the relationship between banks' currency risks and their foreign exchange derivative holdings. All the data collection and analysis can be done remotely over the internet.
Professor Grace Weishi Gu Steadmon, Associate Professor Economics, is looking for an undergraduate assistant for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Students should be diligent, careful, and proficient with Excel. Economics major preferred but not required. Knowledge of Python is preferred but not required. Majority of the project will be collecting data from global banks' annual reports. There will be weekly zoom meetings for 15-30mins to discuss work progress.
Prof. Steadmon will provide students with relevant guidance and readings and possibly Python training for data collection. We will meet once every week to discuss what we want to achieve that week and what questions/difficulties the students face. We will also have instant messaging system for the project through Slack. Students will gain software skills, and learn about global bank operations (how to read annual reports and understand their risk management). They will also be exposed to research process and data collection and cleaning procedures.
TO APPLY: Email Professor Grace Weishi Gu Steadmon (wg7@ucsc.edu) your CV and Transcript by October 6, 2023.
_________________________________
Building Belonging: Attaining Affirmative Action Goals in Public Procurement
Project Description: The federal government annually awards in excess of $150 billion in prime contracts to small businesses, including minority- and women-owned firms, and similarly directs nearly $100 billion more to subcontractors. The scale of federal affirmative action programs in contracting is therefore substantial, with potentially important impacts on industry and the prospects of disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Each federal agency is assigned a goal for small business awards, ranging widely from 11 to 73 percent. In this research project, we will study how the incentives of the program affect an agency's satisfying of its goals and the impact on the effectiveness of government.
Professor Justin Marion is looking for an undergraduate assistant for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The work will be tailored to the student's strengths, but could include data collection and analysis using Excel and/or R, Python, Stata, and the like. It could also entail searching through databases of academic articles to find relevant research.
TO APPLY: Email Justin Marion (marion@ucsc.edu), Professor of Economics, by October 10, 2023.
_________________________________
Building Belonging: Ant Community Ecology in Tropical Forest Restoration
Project Description: Ants are abundant, diverse (around 30,000 species worldwide), and are involved in many different ecosystem processes. They are sensitive to disturbance and habitat change, but typically respond to efforts to restore habitats. Students will assist with lab work for a research project that analyzes ant communities that have established after 20 years of tropical forest restoration in southern Costa Rica.
Professor Karen Holl is looking for two undergraduate assistants for Winter and Spring quarter. Competency with computers and spreadsheets including Google Drive, ability to look through a microscope, strong fine motor skills detail-oriented and organized, good communication skills to work with the rest of the lab group
TO APPLY: Email Karen Holl (kholl@ucsc.edu), Professor of Environmental Studies, by November 20, 2023.
Pathways to Research
P2R is a research-mentoring program for EOP students in the social sciences. Throughout your participation in P2R, you will receive mentorship from a Ph.D. student on topics spanning the research process and applying to graduate school.
If selected, you are expected to dedicate 5-8 hours per week to your P2R project from October 2023 through June 2024, with the opportunity to extend your participation through July 2024 through August 2024. You are encouraged to use your P2R experience to complement and support your coursework. Upon completing each quarter you will receive a $800 stipend ($2,400 total). Each participant is required to attend fall (October), winter (January), and spring (April) welcome events and present their research at the spring symposium (May).
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Participants will be selected based on their completed application. Eligible students must:
*Be EOP students majoring in the social sciences or Humanities (SOC, PSYCH, LIT, CRES, HIST, FMST, Ect)
*Have sophomore, junior or senior standing
*Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (Or, if your GPA is below 3.0, please emphasize in your essay what factors have contributed to your low GPA and how you plan to dedicate 5-8 a week focusing on the P2R research project if selected. Please also email program coordinator Rosa Navarro at Rmnavarr@ucsc.edu if you have specific concerns or questions)
*Have completed the Composition (C) writing requirement by the end of Fall 2023
*Demonstrate an interest in getting involved in research and pursuing a graduate degree.
What Makes a Strong Application?
* Concise and thoughtful answers to the following prompts:
-Please explain why you want to participate in Pathways2Research. (150-350 words)
- Describe one college course that has inspired you in some way. If applicable, please explain in what ways the course content relates to your research interests. (150-350 words)
- What are you looking for in mentor?
* A 2-3 page (double-spaced) essay that includes the following:
a) A personal statement that discusses your personal background, including how your family history,
identity/identities and/or educational history have helped to shape you
b) A detailed description of your research interests
c) An explanation of how your research interests intersect with your educational goals and career objectives
d) Why you want to participate in P2R and how your participation will assist you in achieving your goals
e) An explanation of how you will prioritize your participation in P2R, whether you intend to enroll in Path 1 or 2, and why you believe you can commit to participating in P2R for 1-2 years.
* Most recent UCSC unofficial transcripts
* Community college transcripts (if applicable)
Applications will be reviewed on the following dates:
August 20th, 2023R
Rolling basis until October 6th, 2023
