stem student doing lab research

Undergraduate Student Research

As a student at Bryn Mawr, you will begin building research skills from your first day in the classroom. You will work closely with faculty and classmates, think critically, and explore the questions that matter most to you.

Research Experience

Bryn Mawr offers many ways for undergraduate students to get involved in research. After you declare your major, you'll build your research skills through coursework, research methods classes, and your senior thesis.

You can work alongside faculty on research, receive funding to present at conferences, use library resources, or earn a summer fellowship to pursue an independent project. Along the way, you'll develop the skills needed for future research, graduate school, and your career.

students collaborating on undergraduate research
faculty and students collaborating on undergraduate research
Emily Geoghegan '17
"Field work during my time at Bryn Mawr fundamentally changed how I think as a scientist."

Faculty Mentorship

Students and faculty work together to explore big questions. With support from faculty mentors, students build research skills and discover new ideas.

Faculty mentors help you:

  • Find research opportunities that match their interests.
  • Develop research skills and confidence.
  • Prepare presentations and publications.
  • Explore graduate school and career paths.

Research Across the Disciplines

Students working together in student research opportunities

STEM Research

Bryn Mawr students often double major in STEM fields, or select a STEM major and a minor that complement their areas of academic interest. 

Research opportunities include:

- Laboratory and field research.
- Independent research projects.
- Data collection and analysis.
- Conference presentations.
- Senior thesis research.

archival and cultural research for social sciences research

Humanities & Social Science Research

Bryn Mawr students explore the people, cultures, and ideas that shape our world through original research in the humanities and social sciences. 

Research opportunities include:

- Archival and library research. 
- Fieldwork and community-based research.
- Data analysis and original scholarship.
- Independent research projects.
- Senior thesis research.

Summer Science Research

Summer Science Research is central to Bryn Mawr's approach to science education.

As a science major, you're encouraged to conduct faculty-mentored research during the summer and throughout the academic year.

summer science research opportunities
32%
of STEM majors completed summer science research in 2026

Undergraduate Research News

Explore stories of Bryn Mawr students engaged  in research, creativity, and discovery.

Undergraduate Research FAQs

Students begin building research skills in their classes from their first semester. Many students join research projects early in their college careers, and opportunities continue to grow after they declare a major

Yes. Undergraduate research is available across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. Students work with faculty on projects that match their interests and academic goals.

Faculty mentor students through research projects, independent studies, senior thesis work, and summer research. Students work closely with professors to ask questions, develop ideas, and share their findings.

Yes. Bryn Mawr offers funded research opportunities, including summer fellowships and programs that allow students to focus on research while receiving financial support.

Yes. Many students present their research at campus events and academic conferences. Some also receive support to travel and share their work with a wider audience.

Research looks different in every discipline. Students may conduct laboratory research, analyze data, complete fieldwork, study archival materials, create original scholarship, or work with community partners.