Undergraduate Research
Our faculty takes great pride in the humanities, social and human science, and creative research our students undertake. Our college provides various forms of support to help you conduct, fund, present, and publish your research.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
You can register for our independent study or undergraduate research courses, which provide opportunities to complete a research project with the guidance of a faculty mentor. Ask your academic advisor for more information.
Our faculty enjoy sharing their research with students. If you're curious about a professor's area of research, ask about pursuing a collaborative project or invite a professor to mentor you while pursing your own ideas.
Virginia Tech Honors College students work toward the completion of the Honors Laureate Diploma (HLD). The Honors College curriculum builds on students’ disciplinary knowledge to emphasize experiential learning, undergraduate research, and collective real-world problem-solving by transdisciplinary groups of students.
- Advertising - Hannah Shinault Deuyour
- Arabic – Nadine Sinno
- Career and Technical Education - Nancy Bradley
- Career and Technical Education - Agricultural Education - Nancy Bradley
- Childhood Pre-Education - Victoria Lael
- Classical Studies – Janell Watson
- Communication – Hannah Shinault Deuyour
- Consumer Studies – Chelsey Hancock
- Creative Writing - Ashley Reed
- Criminology - Kwame Harrison
- Early Childhood Development and Education - Victoria Lael
- Elementary Education - Nancy Bradley
- English – Ashley Reed
- English Language Arts Education - Nancy Bradley
- Environmental Policy and Planning - Chris LaPlante
- EUropean and Transatlantic Studies - Yannis Stivachtis
- Fashion Merchandising and Design – Chelsey Hancock
- French – Corinne Noirot
- German – Debra Stoudt
- History – Dennis Halpin
- History and Social Sciences Education - Nancy Bradley
- Human Development – Victoria Lael
- Humanities for Public Service - Matthew Gabriele
- International Public Policy - Yannis Stivachtis
- International Relations - Yannis Stivachtis
- International Studies – Yannis Stivachtis
- Mathematics Education - Nancy Bradley
- Multimedia Journalism – Hannah Shinault Deuyour
- National Security and Foreign Affairs - Yannis Stivachtis
- Philosophy – Hannah Wildman Short
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics – Michael Moehler
- Political Science – Courtney Thomas
- Professional and Technical Writing - Ashley Reed
- Property Management – Chelsey Hancock
- Public Relations – Hannah Shinault Deuyour
- Religion and Culture – Matthew Gabriele
- Residential Environments and Design- Chelsey Hancock
- Russian – Nyusya Milman-Miller
- Smart and Sustainable Cities - Chris LaPlante
- Sociology – Kwame Harrison
- Spanish – Annie Hesp
- Sports Media and Analytics – Hannah Shinault Deuyour
Funding Your Research
Grants to fund research and presentations in the fall and spring are available each year. The application is open to undergraduate students majoring or minoring in the college and working with a faculty mentor. The funds may cover the cost of conducting research or for travel to present or perform work.
To apply, complete the application and request a faculty endorsement:
Many departments have funds to support research. Ask your advisor for more information.
The University Office of Undergraduate Research offers Conference Travel Funds to present your work.
Presenting Your Research
Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference
The Office of Undergraduate Research hosts this conference each April, where you can present undergraduate research posters, papers, and projects.
Department Research Events
Departments offer events to showcase the research and creative scholarship of undergraduate students. For example, the English Department hosts an Undergraduate Research and Writing Symposium and the History Department offers an Undergraduate Research Showcase and Spring Tea.
Each spring, the ACC puts on a conference that highlights undergraduate research. Presenters are chosen by each participating university.
National Conference on Undergraduate Research
This interdisciplinary conference hosts students representing universities, both nationally and internationally.
National Collegiate Research Conference
NCRC is a platform for undergraduates from across the nation to share their interest in research.
Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference
Each spring, the Phi Alpha Theta history honors society sponsors a series of regional conferences.
Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference
The Office of Undergraduate Research hosts this conference each April, where you can present undergraduate research posters, papers, and projects.
Department Research Events
Departments offer events to showcase the research and creative scholarship of undergraduate students. For example, the English Department hosts an Undergraduate Research and Writing Symposium and the History Department offers an Undergraduate Research Showcase and Spring Tea.
Each spring, the ACC puts on a conference that highlights undergraduate research. Presenters are chosen by each participating university.
National Conference on Undergraduate Research
This interdisciplinary conference hosts students representing universities, both nationally and internationally.
National Collegiate Research Conference
NCRC is a platform for undergraduates from across the nation to share their interest in research.
Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference
Each spring, the Phi Alpha Theta history honors society sponsors a series of regional conferences.
Publishing Your Research
Virginia Tech Undergraduate Historical Review
The student-led Virginia Tech Undergraduate Historical Review showcases undergraduate research on historical topics.
The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Review
PPER publishes original undergraduate research in philosophy, politics, and economics.