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Emerging Scholars Program

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The Emerging Scholars Program at the Polarization and Social Change Lab (PaSCL) cultivates the next generation of scholars, practitioners, and leaders dedicated to addressing critical societal issues like pathways to a healthy democracy, strategies for social change, and leveraging emerging technologies for pressing social challenges. Participants—Research Coordinators and Research Assistants—engage in cutting-edge research projects, collaborate within a multidisciplinary team, and develop skills through workshops and seminars. Under the mentorship of PaSCL faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students, they contribute to high-impact social science research while honing expertise in project management, experimental design, and data analysis.

 

PaSCL is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, including those from underrepresented groups in academia.

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The program has two tracks:

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  1. Predoctoral Research Scholars Program: For post-baccalaureate scholars ready to lead advanced research projects as Research Coordinators.

  2. Undergraduate Research Assistant Program: For undergraduates and early-career scholars to gain foundational research experience as Research Assistants.

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Predoctoral Research Scholars Program

 

Designed for post-baccalaureate scholars ready to lead research as Research Coordinators, managing significant projects and contributing to the lab's critical initiatives.

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  • Leadership: Lead major research projects, overseeing study design, execution, and data analysis.

  • Advanced Expertise: Utilize skills in programming, data analysis, and methodology; manage participant recruitment, draft IRB protocols, and coordinate with vendors.

  • Publication and Presentation: Guide projects from inception to publication, co-author papers, and present at conferences.

  • Collaborative Environment: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team and benefit from mentorship.

  • Graduate Preparation: Launching pad for top graduate programs, providing a publication record and leadership experience.

  • Commitment: Full-time position.

  • Beyond the program: Alumni have progressed to Ph.D. programs at Harvard University, Stanford University, New York University, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant Program

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This program offers undergraduates and early-career scholars hands-on experience in social science research as Research Assistants. Participants gain exposure to research methodologies and essential skills.

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  • Skill Development: Engage in tasks like recruiting participants, running experiments, conducting literature reviews, and processing data.

  • Mentorship: Receive guidance on project design, research methods, and theoretical frameworks.

  • Increasing Responsibility: Gradually take on more complex tasks, including designing experimental materials and leading smaller research projects.

  • Collaborative Environment: Work within a multidisciplinary team and participate in lab workshops and seminars (including Soc 375W).

  • Advancement Opportunities: Many move on to pursue graduate studies with a strong research foundation.

  • ​Commitment: Part-time, approximately 10 hours per week, including workshop attendance.

  • Beyond the program: Alumni have advanced to Ph.D. programs in fields such as Sociology, Psychology, business, and other fields at institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Duke University, Brown University, and University of California, Los Angeles; and professional programs in Law, Public Policy, Social Work, Business, Computer Science, and other fields at institutions like Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Yale Law School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, University of California, San Francisco - School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, UC Berkeley School of Information, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia School of Social Work, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.​

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Undergraduate Research Assistant Program Alumni:​

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Ted Apstein, Monica Bandy, Arianna Benedetti, Lindsay Berkowitz, Kate Boudreau, Mary Breffle, Nathan Chael, Nirali Chandaria, Ariella Chichilnisky du Lac, Huan Yu Dennis Chang, Kenny Chen, Hillary Chesler, Anna Cole, Jarad Cox, Nikki Cruz, Brent Curdy, Nathan Doiev, Colin Dolese, Jackson Eilers, Ingrid Fan, Samantha Feinberg, Robert Orion Fett, Natalie Fletcher, Charles Foster, Skye Free, Jessica Friesen, José Luis Gandara, Gianni Glick, Tammi Ha, Jonathan Hampton, Carla Ho, Erik Hou, Dwight Hua, Hiroshi Ishii-Adajar, Vicky Isarraras, Nicole Iturriaga, Alex Iverson, Maria Javier, Malina Jiang, Jason Joffe, Kelsey Josund, Crystal Juarez, Victoria Kalumbi, Tanya Kandralayan, Justin Kim, Akosua Kissi, Haley Kong, Jordan Levine, Lisa Liao, Xiaohai Liu, Erin Macke, Ethan McAvoy, Kyleigh McPeek, Ingrid Melvaer, Diana Mercado-Garcia, Manana Mesropian, Carrie Milder, Katie Murray, Sandra Nakagawa, Jack Nichols, Andrew Ntim, Karla Pacheco, Julia Page, Shani Paret, Sneha Patil, Brianna Peet, Chuong Phan, Ryan Phelps, Sarah Pomeroy, Amanda Pouchot, Eliza Anderson Powers, Kadar Qian, Kyle Qian, Lauren Rahlfs, Nicole Rankin, Julia Raven, Kristen Ring, Nellenda Rublico, Munnyuan Saechao, Shahed Sajadieh, Samira Samadini, Elena Sanchez, Sheira Sarfaty, Liz Saroki, Rachel Savage, Sarina Soriano-Taylor, Katie Sphar, Danielle Stewart, Kit Sturm, Lavanya Sundar, Kyle Temple, Ben Tom, Raina Verma, Sofia Verduzco, Vanessa Vicente, Jan Voelkel, Matthew Vollrath, Jeannette Wang, Everett Wetchler, Natalie Whiting, Caroline Wilmuth, Andrew Yee, Yolanney Yeh, Hajin Yoon, Justine Zhang, Lily Zheng

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Learn More

To inquire or apply, please contact us at polarizationlab@stanford.edu. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

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For more about our projects and research topics, visit our About Page and Publications Page.

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