Our undergraduate Research Assistants make up the heart of the BESTEST Lab. Students looking for a research assistant position have the option of working with the BESTEST Lab as a volunteer (4 hours a week) or for course 1-3 course credits (PSY 4997R). Research Assistants generally jump in to help with ongoing projects, completing a variety of tasks which could include: participant recruitment, database management, transcription, coding, data entry, data cleaning, Qualtrics survey development, intervention material development, and literature reviews. Because the lab generally has multiple ongoing projects, every effort is made to allow students the opportunity to choose the projects/tasks they are most interested in. Students are also welcomed to participate in ongoing professional development opportunities such as conference presentations and manuscript preparation for peer reviewed articles. 

Graduate students often contribute to the BESTEST Lab in the same way that undergraduate students do. However, there is often additional opportunities for data analysis, manuscript preparation, and independent research!

Students with an interest in studying social inequalities (e.g., LGBTQ+ bias, sexism, ageism), using multiple research methodologies (e.g., qualitative methods, quantitative methods), working with a research team that values your contributions and insight, and searching for opportunities to further their professional and academic development should apply!

This role is a time commitment that will vary for each student. If you are volunteering, I ask students to commit to at least 4 hours a week. Students completing individual studies credit (PSY 4997R) will need to complete hours that align with the number of credit hours they are taking. Students taking 1 credit hour will complete 4 lab hours a week. Students taking 2 credit hours will complete 6-8 lab hours a week. Students taken 3 credit hours will complete 8-10 hours a week. 

Although I will work with students who can only commit to a semester, I give preference to students who are able to commit to at least two semesters of working in the BESTEST Lab.

Undergraduate students interested in being part of the BESTEST Lab research team need to complete a Research Assistant Application. It is available on the UTC Psychology Department website. 

Graduate students or prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Walker directly by email at ruth-walker@utc.edu 

If you have additional questions, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Walker directly by email at ruth-walker@utc.edu to set up a time to meet. You can also reference additional lab details and policies in the BESTEST Lab Research Assistant Handbook.

Our lab is dedicated to producing open-source, accessible research and resources aimed at promoting equity and supporting vulnerable communities—including women, minorities, children, older adults, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We believe that knowledge and tools for change should be available to everyone, free of charge.

However, funding for research broadly related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is increasingly being reduced or eliminated. This creates new challenges for researchers committed to studying issues that disproportionately affect underrepresented and marginalized populations.

Your Support Matters:
If our work has been helpful to you, and you are in a position to contribute, your support can help us bridge this funding gap. Every donation—no matter the size—allows us to sustain our research and invest in the next generation of social science leaders.

How Your Support Helps:

• Funding Student Research: Your contributions directly support diverse students conducting research on issues that might otherwise go underfunded, including:

  • Workplace experiences of LGBTQ+ faculty and staff compared to their non-LGBTQ+ colleagues.

  • The development of a website to help prospective students assess universities’ LGBTQ+ friendliness based on our research.

  • Workshops to prevent child and adolescent sexual grooming (both digital and in-person).

  • Barriers men face when seeking orders of protection.

  • Transformative justice approaches for sex trafficking survivors.

  • And many other student-driven projects that address the needs of marginalized groups.

• Supporting Student Professional Development: Your donation also helps fund conference travel, research training, and career development opportunities—ensuring that students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, gain the skills and networks they need to thrive.

Why Now?
As traditional funding streams for DEI-focused research decline, your support becomes even more critical. It helps ensure that the work of our students and researchers can continue—driving knowledge, influencing policy, and supporting those who need it most.

Join Us:
We remain committed to keeping all our research and resources freely available to the public. If you believe in our mission and have the means to contribute, we would be truly grateful for your support—whether it’s the equivalent of a cup of coffee or a larger gift. If you would like more information on current projects we are working to fund, please contact Dr. Walker at ruth-walker@utc.edu

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Together, we can advance equity and ensure this work endures. Thank you for standing with us.