What kind of research opportunities are available at Harvard?

Okay, so I’m a rising junior in college, majoring in Biology with a minor in Computer Science. I’m really interested in getting involved in research and I’ve always dreamed of doing research at Harvard. I’m just not sure where to start looking or what kind of opportunities are even available to someone like me – an undergrad from another university.

Specifically, I’m interested in things like:

• Are there summer research programs specifically for undergrads from other schools? I’ve heard of some, but I’m not sure which ones are legit and competitive.
• What are the general research areas that Harvard is known for right now? I’m particularly interested in computational biology, genetics, and maybe some immunology, but I’m open to other areas as well.
• How competitive is it to get a research position as an external undergrad? Should I be aiming for a specific GPA, or should I be emphasizing specific skills in my applications?
• Do I need to contact professors directly, and if so, how do I do that without being annoying? What information should I include in my email?
• Are there opportunities in the Harvard-affiliated hospitals, like Mass General or Brigham and Women’s? I would be really interested in translational research.

Basically, I’m trying to figure out how to best position myself to potentially land a research opportunity at Harvard either this summer or next, and any guidance would be greatly appreciated! I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer size of the university and all the different departments.

Answer

Harvard University offers a vast and diverse array of research opportunities spanning virtually every academic discipline. These opportunities are available to undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and even visiting scholars. The specific types of research and how to get involved vary by department, school, and research center. Here’s a detailed overview:

I. Research by Academic Division/School:

• Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS): This is the largest academic division and encompasses a wide range of departments in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

  • Humanities: Research opportunities include literary analysis, historical studies, philosophical inquiry, linguistic research, art history, musicology, and classical studies. Specific projects can involve archival research, textual criticism, digital humanities, and fieldwork.
  • Social Sciences: This division offers research in economics, government, sociology, psychology, anthropology, education, and related fields. Research methodologies are diverse, ranging from quantitative analysis of large datasets to qualitative interviews and ethnographic studies. Specific areas of focus include development economics, political behavior, social inequality, cognitive neuroscience, and organizational behavior.
  • Natural Sciences: Research opportunities are available in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, statistics, computer science, and earth and planetary sciences. Projects may involve laboratory experiments, computational modeling, theoretical analysis, fieldwork, and data analysis. Specific areas of focus include astrophysics, condensed matter physics, organic chemistry, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and climate science.

• Harvard Medical School (HMS): HMS is a leading institution for biomedical research.

  • Basic Science Departments: These include cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, neurobiology, pathology, pharmacology, and systems biology. Research opportunities involve laboratory investigations into the fundamental mechanisms of disease, development of new therapies, and advancements in diagnostic tools. Specific projects might focus on cancer biology, infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and regenerative medicine.
  • Clinical Departments: Research is conducted within clinical departments such as medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and dermatology. Opportunities involve clinical trials, epidemiological studies, outcomes research, and translational research that aims to bring basic science discoveries to the bedside. Specific areas of focus include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, and cancer treatment.

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: This school focuses on improving public health through research and education.

  • Departments: Research opportunities are available in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, global health and population, health policy and management, nutrition, and social and behavioral sciences. Projects address a wide range of public health challenges, including infectious diseases, chronic diseases, environmental hazards, health disparities, and health systems strengthening. Methodologies include epidemiological studies, intervention trials, policy analysis, and community-based participatory research.

• Harvard Law School (HLS): Research at HLS addresses a broad range of legal and policy issues.

  • Centers and Programs: Research opportunities are available through centers and programs focused on specific areas of law, such as human rights, international law, criminal justice, environmental law, and corporate governance. Projects may involve legal analysis, policy research, empirical studies, and advocacy.
  • Faculty-Led Research: Students can also participate in research projects led by individual faculty members who specialize in various areas of law.

• Harvard Business School (HBS): HBS focuses on research related to business and management.

  • Units: Research is conducted within units focused on accounting and management, entrepreneurial management, finance, general management, marketing, negotiation, organization and markets, strategy, and technology and operations management. Opportunities involve case study development, quantitative analysis of business data, field research in organizations, and the development of new management theories.

• Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE): HGSE conducts research on a wide range of education-related topics.

  • Centers and Projects: Research opportunities are available through centers and projects focused on early childhood education, K-12 education, higher education, educational technology, and educational policy. Projects may involve classroom observations, experimental studies, policy analysis, and the development of new educational interventions.

• Harvard Kennedy School (HKS): HKS focuses on research related to public policy and governance.

  • Centers: Research opportunities are available through centers focused on international affairs, human rights, social policy, energy and environmental policy, and leadership. Projects may involve policy analysis, quantitative modeling, field research, and the development of policy recommendations.

• Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD): GSD conducts research on architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and design technology.

  • Studios and Labs: Research opportunities are available through design studios, research labs, and centers focused on sustainable design, urban informatics, and design innovation. Projects may involve architectural design, urban planning, landscape design, and the development of new design technologies.

• Harvard Divinity School (HDS): HDS conducts research on religion and theology.

  • Centers and Programs: Research opportunities are available through centers and programs focused on specific religious traditions, theological issues, and the role of religion in society. Projects may involve textual analysis, historical research, ethnographic studies, and interreligious dialogue.

II. Interdisciplinary Research Centers and Institutes:

Harvard has numerous interdisciplinary research centers and institutes that bring together faculty and students from different schools and departments to address complex challenges. Examples include:

• The Broad Institute: A partnership between Harvard, MIT, and affiliated hospitals, focusing on genomic medicine.
• The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering: Developing innovative technologies inspired by nature.
• The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study: A multidisciplinary institute that supports scholars, artists, and writers.
• The Harvard Global Health Institute: Addressing global health challenges through research, education, and policy.
• The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs: Focusing on international security and foreign policy.
• The Center for the Environment: Promoting interdisciplinary research on environmental issues.
• The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society: Exploring the social, legal, and ethical implications of the internet.
• The Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics: Dedicated to advancing ethical scholarship and practice.

III. Opportunities for Undergraduates:

Undergraduate students have numerous avenues to engage in research:

• Faculty-Mentored Research: Students can work as research assistants in faculty labs or on individual projects. This often involves direct engagement with research methodologies, data collection, and analysis.
• Independent Research Projects: Students can design and conduct their own research projects, often with the guidance of a faculty advisor. This can culminate in a senior thesis or other scholarly work.
• Summer Research Programs: Harvard offers several summer research programs that provide students with intensive research experiences. Examples include the Summer Research Opportunities at Harvard (SROH) program and various departmental summer programs.
• Funding Opportunities: Harvard provides funding for undergraduate research through grants, fellowships, and awards. Examples include the Harvard College Research Program (HCRP) and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs Undergraduate Thesis Grants.
• Course-Based Research: Some courses incorporate research components, allowing students to gain experience with research methodologies and data analysis.

IV. Opportunities for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows:

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are heavily involved in research at Harvard.

• Doctoral Research: Doctoral students conduct original research as part of their dissertation work. They typically work closely with a faculty advisor and a dissertation committee.
• Postdoctoral Fellowships: Postdoctoral fellows conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member, often as part of a larger research team. They may also have opportunities to mentor graduate students and undergraduates.
• Research Assistantships: Graduate students often work as research assistants on faculty projects, gaining experience in research methodologies and data analysis.
• Funding Opportunities: Harvard provides funding for graduate student and postdoctoral research through fellowships, grants, and awards.

V. How to Find Research Opportunities:

• Departmental Websites: Each department’s website typically lists research opportunities, faculty research interests, and contact information.
• Faculty Websites: Individual faculty members often have websites that describe their research projects and opportunities for students.
• Research Centers and Institutes: The websites of research centers and institutes often list ongoing projects and opportunities for involvement.
• Harvard’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (OURF): Provides information on research opportunities, funding, and advising for undergraduates.
• Networking: Talking to professors, graduate students, and other researchers in your field can be a valuable way to learn about research opportunities.
• Job Boards: Harvard’s internal job boards may list research assistant positions and other research-related opportunities.

In summary, Harvard offers a comprehensive and diverse research environment across all disciplines. Opportunities are abundant for students and scholars at all levels, and the university provides extensive resources to support research endeavors.