The Learning and Motivational Beliefs Lab is looking for research assistants. In the Learning and Motivational Beliefs Lab, we study what motivates students to learn and how teachers, parents, and peers can create equitable and motivationally supportive environments. We take a social-cognitive approach to studying motivation, emphasizing people’s beliefs about and perceptions of themselves and others. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to knowledge about best supporting all students’ learning and reducing inequities in educational outcomes. Most, though not all, of our work is with adolescent (middle and high school) and college-aged students, as well as their teachers, parents, and peers. Most of our research is conducted within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) contexts.
Currently, we seek research assistants for several projects focused specifically on college teachers and how they shape student motivation in challenging college courses.
- Required qualifications:
- Interest in gaining experience in educational or psychological research
- Commitment to being reliable, detail-oriented, and conscientious
- Strong reading comprehension skills. Some quantitative work may be included, but advanced quantitative skills are not required.
- Availability for in-person meetings and work sessions.
- Preferred qualifications
- Students who are at least in their second year of undergraduate study
- Major in a field related to education, psychology, or a related field
- Minimum GPA of 3.3
2 semesters (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026)
- Work closely with one or two researchers in the lab on research projects that involve analyzing primarily qualitative data. Additional tasks related to data collection and data visualization may be included.
- Undergraduate research assistants invited to join the lab will have the opportunity to participate in multiple aspects of the research process, including planning research, analyzing data, and presenting the findings.
- Typical time commitment is about 6 hours per week (with some fluctuation) during regular semester weeks; no time required during finals.
- In addition, student research assistants are welcome to join weekly lab meetings (Fall 2025: Mondays, 1:30 - 3:00, in person), though these are not required. These provide a good introduction to all aspects of the research process.
