Human Development and Family Sciences

Joshua Wilson (left), assistant professor in the University of Delaware’s School of Education, with undergraduate research assistants Mckenna Winnie (center) and Ally Raiche

Undergraduate research enhances UD experience

As an assistant professor in the University of Delaware’s School of Education (SOE), Joshua Wilson frequently employs undergraduate assistants to provide support for grant-funded research projects.

For some projects — as with a recent $400,000 research grant from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) — Wilson may need to assemble an entire team of assistants to help collect and analyze massive troves of data.

Being able to tap into UD’s talent pool of intelligent and ambitious students is one of the advantages of serving on the faculty of a top-tier research university. But as Wilson eagerly points out, students are the real beneficiaries. Working on a faculty research project provides students with opportunities for scholarly training, professional development and the kinds of unique learning experiences that enhance a college education.

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