Student Research Opportunities

Wesleyan faculty are active researchers in their fields. They frequently publish books and scientific papers, speak at conferences, and are quoted in the press. Wesleyan also requires that its professors be excellent teachers, stimulating in the classroom while bringing a fresh and insightful eye to the material. We believe that professors are better teachers when they are actively pushing the boundaries of new knowledge in their disciplines, as well. Because professors are often bringing new research topics into the classrooms, the classroom is a breeding ground for new ideas.

Wesleyan is rich in resources for supporting student research. In any year, there are more than $7.3 million in research grants. These funds help support undergraduate participation in laboratories and research projects. Wesleyan is unusual among liberal arts colleges in maintaining full PhD programs in many of its science departments, so its science faculty conduct active, year-round research programs, providing numerous opportunities for undergraduate involvement.

Wesleyan is an equally strong place to pursue research in the social sciences, humanities, and arts. Each year, more than 35 percent of Wesleyan fourth-year students undertake senior theses. These projects involve working independently with a faculty member to explore an original research topic.

Recent Wesleyan senior theses in the Sciences
Recent Wesleyan senior theses in the Social Sciences
Recent Wesleyan senior theses in the Arts & Humanities
A sampling of recent publications by Wesleyan faculty