How to get involved

There are multiple ways students can get involved in psychology research at UWT:

1. Become a research participant in studies conducted by UWT psychology faculty. How to participate?

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• In your psychology courses you will likely be given an opportunity to participate for extra credit or for course credit.We use an Undergraduate Research Participant Pool (URPP); an administrative mechanism that (a) offers a convenient way for psychology students to gain experience with a broad range of psychological research, and (b) furnishes faculty in the Division of Social, Behavioral, and Human Sciences with participants for their research.

• To participate, sign up through our URPP here using SONA systems https://uwtacoma.sona-systems.com

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2. Become a research assistant in a psychology faculty’s lab

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In my lab, research assistants (RAs) work directly with me to run participants through research studies. RAs are trained in protocols, ethics, and get experience with all aspects of the research process from developing of studies, recruitment of participants, to the entering of data, and discussion of results. RAs in my lab enroll in TPSYH 499 (Undergraduate Psychology Research) for 1-3 credits (or 3-9 hrs. per week), and ideally stay on for at least two consecutive quarters. Volunteer opportunities are also available.

Contact me for details about openings and for an application (aksesko@uw.edu)

3. Conduct your own independent research

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After working in my lab, many students go on to develop, implement, analyze, write-up results, and present their own research projects. Students working on projects enroll in TPSYH 499. Students of mine have a strong history of applying for and obtaining the competitive undergraduate research grants to help fund their research and present their work at local and national conferences. See the research team tab for example past projects.