Student Research | Global and Regional Studies Program | The University of Vermont(title)

Students in the Global and Regional Studies Program have the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Engaging in meaningful research before you graduate gives you the skills and real-world experience that graduate schools and future employers are always looking for.

Grant-supported Research in Employment for New Americans

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“I declared anthropology my major when I first got here,” she recalled. “I was looking to pick up a course and came across the description for global studies—it seemed very multi-disciplinary, something you could take in a lot of different directions. 

Once she became a committed global studies student, Dunkley took advantage of undergraduate research opportunities offered through UVM’s Office of Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research (FOUR). 

Through FOUR, Dunkley received a Simon Family Public Research Fellowship. The grant supports students engaged in community-based research, and Dunkley received $6000 over a ten-week period split between research expenses and a stipend that paid for living expenses. 

“Thanks to the generosity of the funders, it means I was really able to devote my time to research during the summer, without having to do a side job to make ends meet,” Dunkley said. “I’m really grateful for that.” 

Under the supervision of Professor Pablo Bose, Dunkley investigated employment opportunities and challenges for refugee arrivals and New Americans in Vermont. 

“Burlington is where the most services are located, so Chittenden County is the hub,” said Dunkley.  

She surveyed employers’ perceptions about hiring new Americans and identified some of the barriers that may prevent newcomers from getting jobs. 
In preparation for her summer activities, she worked with the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, a Burlington non-profit that helps new Americans gain independence in their new communities, and New Farms for New Americans, a community-based gardening and agriculture program for refugees and immigrants. 

By the end of the summer, Dunkley completed a resource guide for employers and potential employers of new Americans.  

“It’s a best practices guide—a resource for employers—to help them understand ways they can bridge the cultural gap and connect with workers who are really hard-working and committed to building new lives.” 

Funding and Fellowships

Funding and Fellowships

The Office of Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research (FOUR) provides competitively awarded funds for students conducting research.  Check out their grant opportunities and guidelines here. Targeted funding opportunities are available for students interested in conducting community-based, Vermont-based research, and environmentally-related research.

Funding awards to support student research projects are also available through the College of Arts and Sciences APLE awards program.  Applications for these awards are due on October 31 and February 15 each year.

Our students have been highly successful in winning these competitive grant awards to support their research.  Interested in pursuing research funding?  Speak with your advisor or research mentor about preparing an application.

GRS Thesis Topics 2012-Present (PDF)