Getting Started in Research

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What does research look like in the humanities, arts, and social sciences? Will you work in a lab? How do you find a faculty mentor? Explore the tabs below to help you get started!

What is HASS research?

Research in the humanities, arts, and social sciences often looks different from research in STEM fields. Undergraduate researchers in HASS fields may work on faculty-initiated projects but they are more likely to work on student-initiated projects under the guidance of faculty mentors.

Recent research projects by undergraduate HASS researchers include:

    2. The creation of a community-guided framework for doulas by global studies major Leila Chiddick
    4. A study of a 14th-century poem by English major Eric Sican

Below, you’ll find brief descriptions of research in each of the categories of humanities, arts, and social sciences. Keep in mind, however, that research is often interdisciplinary and doesn’t fit into just one category. Check out this Research and Academics Glossary to familiarize yourself with terms your may encounter during your research journey.

RESEARCH IN THE HUMANITIES

Research in the humanities can take a variety of forms; it might include studying language, literature, philosophy, religion, culture, and many other disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas. The study of the humanities is often described as the study of the human experience.

Researchers may interpret texts, films, artworks, music, language, cultural practices, and many other topics and questions. You can explore the UCLA Humanities Division website to learn about exciting humanities research and events at UCLA.

RESEARCH IN THE ARTS

Arts research might involve creating art (such as creating a sculpture, choreographing a dance, writing music) or investigating and studying art (such as interpreting and analyzing architecture, media arts projects, performances, paintings, etc.).

Arts research can also be broadly interdisciplinary, engaging with humanities, social science, and science topics and questions. You can explore the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture website in order to learn about exciting arts research and events at UCLA.

RESEARCH IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

The social sciences are often described broadly as the study of people and society. The social sciences include investigations of culture, economics, geography, politics, history, identity, and many other areas.

Social scientists use a variety of approaches and methodologies to conduct their research; they might run experiments, analyze statistics and data, interview people, observe people in real life, and/or many other methods. You can explore the UCLA Social Sciences Division website to learn about exciting social sciences research and events at UCLA.

Finding a Project and Mentor

DETERMINE YOUR RESEARCH INTERESTS

To brainstorm topics or areas of research that you find interesting, you might consider:

  • Making a list of topics you’ve found interesting in your coursework
  • Thinking about issues or questions that interest you in your spare time
  • Reading academic journal articles in your major or an area of interest
  • Looking at faculty profiles on UCLA departmental websites to learn more about faculty research projects
  • Visiting our WI+RE site for tutorials and videos on getting started in the research process

IDENTIFY POTENTIAL RESEARCH PROJECTS AND MENTORS

Research projects can either be faculty-initiated or student-initiated:

Working on a faculty-initiated project gives you the chance to help a faculty member on a research project. You can find a list of open research positions for north and south campus students at this link.

We also recommend that you ask your professors and TAs about available research opportunities and search departmental websites for current research projects you can join, as not all professors advertise their positions at the link above.

Working on a student-initiated project gives you the chance to pursue a project of your own design under the guidance of a faculty mentor. To find a faculty mentor, you might ask professors with whom you have taken courses in your area of interest. You can also look at faculty bios on UCLA departmental websites in order to identify faculty who are conducting research in your proposed area. We recommend that you identify several potential faculty mentors to whom you could propose your project.

Before contacting potential faculty mentors, try familiarizing yourself with their most recent publications. If a potential faculty mentor has written a recent book, consider checking it out of the library. If a potential mentor has recent articles, try finding them through UCLA library databases .

Who is eligible to serve as an SRP 99 mentor? All Assistant, Associate, and full Professors who hold teaching positions at UCLA (including in the professional schools) are eligible to serve as faculty mentors for SRP 99 contract courses. Adjunct Professors and Lecturers can serve as faculty mentors with special permission, which our office can help you navigate. Graduate students and post-docs can help supervise SRP 99 projects, but you will still need a faculty mentor.

CONTACTING POTENTIAL FACULTY MENTORS

Send a clear and concise email to your potential faculty mentor with the following points:

  • Name and major/department affiliation
  • Purpose for contacting them (i.e. research as an SRP 99 student)
  • Why their research interests you and how your research interests relate to their work
  • Your contact information (email, phone)

Click here for sample e-mails regarding assisting with a faculty project or working on a project you initiated.

As an attachment to your email, include your curriculum vitae (CV). A CV is similar to a resume, but is specific to your academic career. Be sure to include on your CV:

  • Relevant coursework and skills (including language and computer skills)
  • Work and leadership experience
  • Honors, awards, and distinctions

Click here for a sample CV . You can find additional resources for writing your CV on the Career Center website.

When you contact a potential mentor, you may find that the mentor is unable to advise your project, which may be due to a variety of circumstances and unrelated to your background and experiences. In such a case, graciously thank the mentor for their consideration.

You and your potential mentor might arrange an interview or meeting to discuss the potential SRP 99 project. Make sure you are on time for the interview or meeting, bring your CV along, and prepare possible research topics and questions.

THE CONTRACT

Once a faculty member agrees to mentor your research, the next step is the SRP 99 contract, due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday of the second week of each quarter.

If you are interested in an upper-division research course instead of an SRP 99 course, please click here for more information.

Workshops

Below you will find information on:

  • Cornerstone Research Workshop Series support you in all stages of the research process, from developing a research question to presenting your work at conferences, colloquiums and symposiums.

CORNERSTONE RESEARCH WORKSHOPS (WINTER 2026)

Cornerstone Research Workshops support you in all stages of the research process, from developing a research question to presenting your work!

Cornerstone 1: Getting Started With Research Workshop

Learn all about the research process and research opportunities at UCLA.

  • Thursday, January 8: 4-5:00 p.m., Powell Library CLICC B (Room 320B)
  • Wednesday, January 14: 3-4:00 p.m., Powell Library CLICC B (Room 320B)
  • Or take this workshop online now

Cornerstone 2: Developing a Research Question Workshop

Learn how to turn your interests into a research question.

Cornerstone 3: Finding Sources at the UCLA Library Workshop

Learn the most effective search strategies for finding what you need.

Cornerstone 4: Collecting and Citing Sources Workshop

Learn how to create a customized library of resources for your project.

Cornerstone 5: Developing Your Research Plan Workshop

Learn how to organize your research into a coherent and compelling literature review.

Cornerstone 6: Writing a Literature Review Workshop

Plan your project from start to finish.

Co-sponsored by the UCLA Library, the Undergraduate Writing Center, and the Undergraduate Research Center–Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM INFO SESSIONS (Winter 2026)

Find out everything you want to know about applying for research scholarship programs!

URC-HASS Scholarship Info Session

Learn all about the requirements and application deadlines for URC-HASS RAP Lab Fellowship, Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP), Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program (URSP), UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Awards (Keck Fellows),  Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF), Summer Fellows Program, and the Summer Research Incubator.

  • Tuesday, January 27: 3-4 p.m., Powell Library CLICC B (room 320B) and Zoom (Click here to join us on Zoom: https://bit.ly/urcworkshops)

Summer Opportunities Info Session

Learn all about the Summer Fellows Program and Summer Research Incubator, including how to apply before the spring deadlines!

  • Tuesday, January 20: 4-5 p.m., Powell Library CLICC B (room 320B) and Zoom (Click here to join us on Zoom: https://bit.ly/urcworkshops)
  • Thursday, February 5: 3-4 p.m., Powell Library CLICC B (Room 320B) and Zoom (Click here to join us on Zoom: https://bit.ly/urcworkshops)

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH WEEK 2026 INFO SESSION

Learn all about UCLA’s biggest annual undergraduate conference! We’ll share how to apply, ways to present, prizes offered, and benefits of participating. Plus find out about other research events happing in conjunction with URW.

  • Tuesday, March 3: 3-4 p.m., Powell Library CLICC B (Room 320B) and Zoom (Click here to join us on Zoom: https://bit.ly/urcworkshops)
Advising Appointments

ADVISING APPOINTMENTS

Graduate Research Mentors are available to discuss topics related to research and creative projects such as identifying research interests, getting started in research or creative inquiry, forming a research question, writing a research or creative proposal, applying to scholarship programs and graduate school, and finding a faculty mentor.

Meetings can be held over Zoom. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis. If you need to reschedule an appointment, you must first cancel your current reservation. The URC-HASS staff is not able to see available appointment times.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Click here to schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with a Graduate Research Mentor, or:

  1. Visit MyUCLA and select the “Academics” tab
  2. Click on “Appointments” and select “Create Appointment”
  3. Select the “Undergraduate Research Center” from the drop-down menu
  4. Select an appointment time, location, and submit

Once your advising appointment has been scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details.

Please turn your video on for the duration of your appointment. Please be patient if you join the Zoom meeting and your Graduate Research Mentor is not yet available.

WINTER QUARTER AVAILABILITY

Thirty minute advising appointments will be available during the following times in Weeks 1-10. Note: no appointments are available on Monday, January 19 (MLK, Jr. Day) or Monday, February 16 (Presidents’ Day).

  • Mondays: 12pm – 5pm
  • Tuesdays: 12pm – 2pm
  • Wednesdays: 11am – 1pm; 3pm – 5pm
  • Thursdays: 3pm – 5pm
True Bruin Welcome

FALL OPEN HOUSE

The Undergraduate Research Centers are hosting six 30-minute presentation and Q&A sessions with undergraduate researchers and graduate research mentors. All students are welcome, whether you are just getting started or are already involved in research or creative inquiry!

We will cover:

  • one-on-one advising appointments
  • research workshops and scholarship info sessions
  • scholarship programs
  • presentation and publication opportunities for UCLA undergraduate students at every stage of the research and creative process
  • Date: Wednesday, September 24
  • Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Location: Mathematics Sciences Building, Room 5200

NEWSLETTER & SOCIALS

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