For Students
Students from all backgrounds who are interested in gaining mentored research experience in the Infant Development Lab are welcome to apply.
See below for details about what you are likely to gain by participating in undergraduate research and eligibility criteria to be a mentored student researcher in the Infant Development Lab.
Photo on left shows research discussions at a writing meeting in Spring 2024
From left to right: Parker Fairfield ('24), Dr. Sabrina Thurman, and Kenan Carter ('25)
Gaining research experience will not only enrich your undergraduate experience at Elon University, but can have lasting impacts on you in your graduate and professional career.
Conducting research in the Infant Development Lab as an undergraduate will help you learn how developmental scientists work together to solve real-world problems. You will learn how to think about theories and content related to developmental psychology, practical skills and techniques used in the field, as well as ethical considerations and values associated with being a researcher in developmental science.
This high-impact learning experience will complement the strong academic foundation you have at Elon University by supporting you in developing a range of transferable skills that can be applied to numerous settings (e.g., personal lives, internships, jobs). These include technical skills such as critical thinking, reading and interpreting scientific articles, writing, and presenting, as well as personal benefits, such as enhanced self-confidence and resiliency.
Gaining research experience can enhance your relationships with faculty. Working with a faculty mentor in research is a great opportunity to get to know your professors outside of the classroom and build a stronger relationship, which could be impactful when it comes time to seek out letters of recommendation for future career goals.
You will find that having research experience as an undergraduate will only benefit you in your future career. Students often find clarity in their career goals after participating in research, and research experience can quite literally “open doors” for your future. Many graduate and professional schools require undergraduate research experience for applicants interested in clinical and experimental psychology. Thus, engaging deeply in the research process as an undergraduate can dramatically improve your Elon experience and can have lasting impacts on you in your undergraduate, graduate, and professional careers.
One of the most rewarding aspects of research is that we collaborate as a team. By joining our lab, students become part of a scholarly community based on knowledge-building. Newcomers learn from their more experienced labmates, and gradually gain skills and knowledge they can then pass on to future lab members. We learn from and support each other in working through inevitable difficulties, celebrating triumphs, and collaborating together to meet our goals. The impact of these relationships can extend far beyond graduation.
In the Infant Development Lab, our individual backgrounds are respected and celebrated.
Each lab member brings with them unique intersectional identities that bring great value to our work. We are committed to fostering equitable opportunities for all interested students to pursue research in developmental science, particularly students from historically excluded or underrepresented backgrounds. Examples include but are not limited to: Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color; people with disabilities; people from a lower socioeconomic status; people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer; people of a non-dominant religion, first-generation college students, etc.
The Infant Development Lab is located within the Department of Psychology at Elon University. Please also see the Department of Psychology's Statement of Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, & Racial Equity.
Get involved in undergraduate research!
According to the university requirements, students who participate in undergraduate research are required to:
Be of sophomore, junior, or senior standing
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Gain approval from a faculty mentor prior to registering for research credit
Click here to learn more about Elon University's undergraduate research expectations and how to get involved on the Undergraduate Research website.
In the Infant Development Lab, student researchers are expected to:
Commit to working in the lab for at least 2 full semesters (e.g., spring and fall, fall and spring, etc.)
Dedicate at least 10 hours per week to completing lab work (e.g., recruiting participants, data collection, behavioral video coding and analysis, literature reviews, writing scientific reports, etc.)
Must be available during regular business hours (i.e., 8 am – 5 pm)
Participate in weekly group lab meetings
Complete weekly journals, which involve keeping a time log and completing personal reflections and critiques of scientific research articles
Present research at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF)
Students of all backgrounds are invited to apply to the lab. You can get involved through earning course credit via PSY 499 (Research Experience in Psychology), PSY 491 (Independent Study [Directed Readings in Psychology]) or PSY 498 (Honors Fellows Research in Psychology). Undergraduate research can be used to fulfill your Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) at Elon University. It is also sometimes possible to work in the lab on a volunteer basis. Please also feel free to contact Dr. Thurman directly to learn more information.
To apply to be a mentored research student in the Infant Development Lab, please click the button "Apply here," to the right.
Testimonials
"My undergraduate research experience has constantly encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, and this would not be possible without Dr. Thurman’s guidance. Dr. Thurman has helped build my confidence as a researcher by developing my literacy surrounding these topics, critical thinking skills, and cultivating my research skills throughout the multiple phases of the research process. I am truly grateful for her support!”
-Tiffany Pham '23 (now a Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City)
"Participating in undergraduate research has been one of the most meaningful experiences during my time at Elon. It has taken the content I learned in classes and given me a chance to truly practice and apply those skills. The research experience has also helped me to form meaningful relationships and has taught me the importance of having mentorship in my life.”
-Hannah Higgins '23 (now a Research Associate at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center)
"Engaging in undergraduate research has undoubtedly been one of the most profound experiences in college and has prepared me well for graduate school. This experience has provided me not only with a foundation of knowledge, but also a skill set that can transfer to any academic or professional endeavor. I have gained confidence in my ability to complete tasks independently as well as in groups, navigate unforeseen challenges, and manage time effectively while juggling multiple simultaneous tasks.”
-Grace Feiner '21 (now a M.Ed. student at Vanderbilt University, in the Department of Special Education’s Applied Behavior Analysis Training Program)
"I was able to gain a unique and informative experience through the lab meetings. The environment created was very inclusive and respectful, which encouraged me to engage, learn more, and have fun. Through the readings, discussions, and brainstorming potential research ideas, I was able to gain valuable skills that I can carry with me in future research endeavors."
-Noorhan Abu Khalaf '21 (was a student in Alamance Burlington Early College, now an undergraduate student majoring in Public Health at East Carolina University, as part of the early assurance program to the Brody School of Medicine)
"Research was one of the most impactful experiences of my college career. Even if you do not think you want to do research long term or you aren’t sure if it is for you, try it because you never know. You will learn about multiple topics in more depth than you would in any class and can explore your own interests more. You will gain skills and experience that can be transferable to any job or task. You will learn how to carry yourself as a professional. Finally, the best benefit is the ability to be mentored by a faculty member who will train you and invest in you and your success. By participating in undergraduate research you will grow personally and professionally in more ways than you can imagine.”
-Alex Grillo '20 (now a Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at Gallaudet University)
"If you put so much into this lab, you will get so much out of it! I have made amazing connections with fellow students within the lab as well as my research professor. Being a part of the Infant Development Lab will allow you to make connections from classes such as lifespan development and early child development, which is so cool because you actually get to see some of those concepts play out in real life!”
-Pamela Danko '20 (now a M.Ed. student in Counseling and Human Services at Lehigh University)
