Hopkins is a major research university—the nation’s first by the way—and even as an international studies major, I was able to dive into research. With so many different fields to explore, from public health and writing seminars to biomedical engineering, there is definitely something for everyone.
My first research experience was in my second year, where I worked on a project focused on youth, civics, and democracy in Liberia, Washington DC, and Maryland. I found this opportunity through HOUR (Hopkins Office for Undergraduate Research), which is basically a one-stop shop for finding research projects and funding. Hopkins offers thousands of dollars in grants, and professors regularly post openings for research assistants. As part of the project, I did literature reviews and researched journals where we could submit our work. The highlight was presenting with my co-assistant Yasmine at the Comparative & International Education Society’s (CIES) annual conference after our paper was published in their journal. It was such a great way to connect with others in the field and build my network. Seeing our paper accepted and published in journals was a very rewarding experience. My favorite part was facilitating a discussion with students at a local Baltimore community center. Hearing how deeply they were thinking about issues related to government policies, particularly on topics like COVID-19 and policing, was inspiring. It was incredible to witness their thoughtful and meaningful perspectives at such a young age, and it contributed significantly to our research.
Right now, I’m working on my second research project as an assistant for the Human Capital Development Lab at our Carey School of Business. I found this position through SMILE, the main platform for on-campus jobs. My role involves writing monthly research briefs on human capital trends in Africa, which ties in perfectly with my international studies major. I focused my studies on economic development, and human capital is closely linked to this as it represents the economic value of an individual, including their education and skills. Developing a nation’s human capital is critical to its economic growth and, through the lab, I write about emerging trends in Africa and how they are relevant to broader trends in the field. It has been an amazing way to deepen my understanding of African studies and hone clearer and more engaging writing skills.
If you’re thinking about research at Hopkins, the possibilities are endless. And if you’re like me and more interested in writing and analysis than labs and calculations, there are plenty of opportunities for you too!
