Research/Funding Opportunities
The sociology department faculty encourage undergraduate students to engage in original research, either individually or in collaboration with their professors.
In many of our courses — especially Sociology 271 (Social Statistics) and Sociology 272 (Research Methods in Sociology) — students acquire computer skills and develop their own data files. They are also assisted in preparing manuscripts, which may be presented at professional meetings and considered for publication in professional journals. A number of organizations sponsor conferences at which undergraduates can gain experience in the presentation of papers.
The following are some major research/funding opportunities for undergraduates at Wake Forest.
Richter Scholars
The Richter Scholars Program supports independent study scholarships with financial awards up to $6000 for undergraduate students in the College and the Calloway School of Wake Forest University. Richter Scholarships are competitively awarded for students proposing an independent study project requiring travel away from Winston-Salem. International projects are especially encouraged. The Richter Scholar awards are the largest single awards on campus for the purpose of independent study. Students are encouraged to pursue enriching, broadening projects that have the promise of being life-changing. To enrich the independent study experience, each student is required to have a faculty mentor for his or her project. The deadline for applications is typically set for February each year. More information is available here.
Previous Sociology Department recipients
Summer Research Fellowship
The Wake Forest Research Fellowship Program is designed to encourage individual undergraduates to join their professors as junior partners on scholarly research activities. These scholarships provide a summer stipend and housing for students who work with WFU students during the summer. More information is available here.
Previous Wake Forest Research Fellows from the Sociology Department
Starr Travel Awards
Starr Scholarships are awarded for up to $700 for the purpose of meeting expenses related to the presentation and/or travel costs. Awards will be made quarterly. More information is available here.