Research

Research is at the heart of UMass Lowell's Department of Psychology, where we feature:

• Curricula that emphasize foundational and applied research skills, providing a comprehensive understanding of quantitative and qualitative methods
• Expert faculty who are actively involved in cutting-edge research and frequently involve students in their research activities
• State-of-the-art equipment, including computer labs, fNIRS equipment, EyeLink eye-tracking, biomonitoring devices, immersive computing (e.g., virtual reality) and a high-dimensional computing cluster
• Community-engaged scholarship that fosters collaborative partnerships to address local and transnational challenges, directly benefiting the public
• Close affiliations with campus research centers and institutes, where students can contribute to impactful projects

Whether you're passionate about understanding human behavior or addressing societal issues, you'll gain hands-on experience in research methodologies and data analysis, preparing you to make a meaningful impact.

Faculty Research Areas

Our faculty’s expertise spans a wide range of disciplines—from applied behavior analysis to cognitive neuroscience, and child maltreatment to health psychology—creating numerous opportunities for collaboration within and beyond the Psychology Department. Several faculty members have expertise in advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Several of our teaching faculty also have expertise in the areas noted below and can serve on Ph.D. student committees. View all faculty.

The Department of Psychology is closely affiliated with several research and community engagement centers, offering opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in meaningful research, contribute to societal change and gain paid employment while building expertise.

• Center for Autism Research and Education: Dedicated to identifying and meeting the needs of the autism community through targeted programming, educational opportunities and research projects.
• Center of Biomedical and Health Research in Data Sciences (CHORDS): Focused on cutting-edge informatics research to accelerate biomedical and healthcare discoveries.  
• Center for Community Research and Engagement: Focused on improving mental health and well-being through innovative community-based programs.
• Center for Population Health: Focused on establishing interventions in diverse populations to effectively reduce the prevalence of diseases and improve overall quality of health and well-being in our communities. 
• Center for Women and Work: Committed to advancing work conditions and economic opportunities for women through research, education, and advocacy.