There are many opportunities for research by working informally with faculty on their research and/or through University of Delaware programs. Some of these programs offer funding for student research.
The Undergraduate Research Program, located at 12 W. Delaware Avenue, is open to all interested undergraduates. Undergraduate researchers are typically sophomores, juniors and seniors. Some are looking for the field or specialty within a field on which they want to focus their courses and careers; others are already making their own original contributions to their chosen fields. Students who hold college work-study grants may earn their grant money doing research. In the summers, a salary or stipend is often possible.
The program provides:
The Degree with Distinction and the Honors Degree with Distinction offer talented and dedicated students the opportunity to pursue their academic interests in greater depth than is required for the regular bachelor’s degree. The Degree with Distinction adds only a senior research thesis to regular degree requirements. The Honors Degree with Distinction provides a comprehensive program including Honors course work, Honors seminars, and Honors senior research and thesis to supplement regular departmental degree requirements. The Degree with Distinction requires a 3.0 overall grade index and a 3.5 in the major by the time of graduation. The Honors Degree with Distinction requires a 3.400 overall grade index by the time of graduation.
The College of Education and Public Policy will offers up to ten $3,000 awards to sophomore and junior majors in the College, enabling them to do in-depth research with faculty in the College. Each Scholar will receive a stipend of $3,000 and a summer housing allowance of $500. Students will work on their projects full time for ten weeks in the summer and will continue to do three credits’ worth of research in the following academic year. The research done during the academic year may be part of the senior thesis for the Degree With Distinction or Honors Degree with Distinction.
The Honors Program at the University of Delaware is a four-year program open to students in all majors that offers enhanced educational opportunities for exceptional students. The Honors Program is a rigorous and rewarding program, designed for superior students who want an intense intellectual challenge and are prepared to invest the extra effort required to be successful in a demanding curriculum. The Honors Program is not for all outstanding students, but is for students who enjoy stretching themselves academically. The Honors Program features writing across the curriculum, research opportunities, and cultural and social events designed to bring together a community of exceptional students and dedicated faculty. http://www.honors.udel.edu/
The annual interdisciplinary, scholarly conference named after a distinguished alumna of UD, Marion H. Steele (‘28), a longtime editor of the Journal of Home Economics. The symposium focuses on families, consumer sciences, human development and communities. Applicants whose submissions are deemed outstanding have the chance to win monetary awards and scholarly recognition.
Students can be involved in many different research projects sponsored by faculty in the Department of Human Development & Family Studies. Just some of these research projects and research areas include:
Dr. John Bishop’s research interests tend to focus in two areas: (1) issues related to the psychological needs of college students and (2) the organization and strategic planning activities for delivering mental health services on college and university campuses.
Dr. Chris Ohannessian is the Director of The Adolescent Adjustment Project (Website), an NIH-funded study designed to follow approximately 1,000 adolescents and their parents over time. The primary goal of the project is to examine factors (particularly family factors) that may protect some adolescents from developing problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, and alcohol/drug abuse). The study is in its 4th year. Working under the direction of Dr. Ohannessian a student may work on the project for credit (e.g., an independent study), for salary (particularly in the summer), or through work-study (any time of year). Undergraduate students also may be involved in the project as a Summer Scholar student. Students also may base their honors thesis, Master’s thesis, or doctoral dissertation on the project.
Dr. Martha Buell and Dr. Myae Han currently conduct research with the Early Literacy Project and the Kindergarten study. The Early Literacy Project is designed to increase the language and literacy skills of Head Start Preschool children. Both undergraduate and graduate opportunities are available to work in language and literacy settings and gain experience working with children on literacy instruction. Research assistantships are available for graduate students to work as tutors and data collectors. Data analysis opportunities exist on a limited basis for qualified undergraduate and graduate students.
The Kindergarten project has collected data on kindergarten programming and child outcomes. Data coding and analysis opportunities are available for qualified undergraduate and graduate students.
Dr. Han also has other research opportunities for independent study on children’s Play/Literacy and would welcome both undergraduate and graduate students to be involved in. She has several publications in preparation for students to join as a coauthor.
Dr. Buell has other research opportunities available for independent studies addressing child care quality and child care workforce issues.
Dr. Ruth Fleury-Steiner is engaged in research concerning intimate partner violence. She is currently a consultant on an evaluation of the domestic violence liaison program, which is a partnership between Child, Inc., S.A.F.E., and the State Division of Family Services.
Dr. Michael Ferrari's research interests include developmental and acquired disorders of the brain and their implications for daily living, education and rehabilitation. Current research projects include an investigation of the cognitive and emotional implications of stroke, and assessments of the impact of adult “learning disabilities”. A proposal is underway to provide an assessment of educational, vocational and community transition issues after traumatic brain injury and stroke. Students with some background and interests in these areas are welcome.
One of Dr. Rob Palkovitz’s many research studies is the “Early involvement of Fathers in Fragile Families- Long-term consequences.” This is a mixed methods study of unmarried, nonresidential men in poverty as they engage with their partner in prenatal involvement, early child involvement and ongoing relationships with their children. Outcomes for fathers, children and families followed across time. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to participate in the ongoing project.
Dr. Cynthia Paris is currently conducting research with novice and experienced preschool and primary teachers who act with agency in order to provide child-centered and family-responsive learning environments and experiences in settings that encourage standardization. What is learned from this research will inform the preparation and ongoing support of teachers of young children. Undergraduate and graduate students working on this research will have opportunities to learn the skills of qualitative interviewing, conduct interviews with novice and experienced teachers, and learn to analyze interview data.
Dr. Barbara H. Settles continues to be interested in diverse families, grandparenting/intergenerational relationships, health and family and sexual education and long term planning for family futures and has done projects with undergraduate students in recent semesters on these topics. Dr. Settles is currently preparing a study of the Groves Conference on Marriage and Family especially in shaping family studies and policy analysis with Dr. Roger Rubin of University of Maryland which will include chapters on specific family issues such as immigration, family policy, intergenerational relationships, alternative family forms and gender issues, family genetics, health and well being, peace and international issues and a bibliography of publications stemming from the conferences’ past 25 years. Both undergraduate and graduate student participation is invited for library research and possible presentation at the conference in June. Projects of student interests in these areas are welcome and some opportunities for international work can be made available.
Dr. Bahira Sherif Trask is currently working on a book on globalization and families. She is particularly fascinated by the varying international interpretations of women’s and children’s rights. Dr. Trask welcomes guiding students who are equally excited by studying the rapid changes affecting individuals and families from a cross-cultural perspective.
Dr. Donald Unger’s research focuses on the development and evaluation of family support and parent education programs. He has recently completed an empowerment evaluation project with Parents and Teachers. He is also involved in development and evaluating social and emotional learning programs that include teenagers and their families. Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to become involved in the social and emotional learning projects.
Department of Human Development & Family Studies •
111 Alison Hall West • Newark, DE 19716 •
USA
