Undergraduate Research

Depending on the field, research may take place in a lab, in a studio, in an archive or out in the field. It may lead to a publication, a film, a performance, an innovative technique, or a new understanding.

Middlebury students collaborate on research with peers and faculty, both at Middlebury and other universities or research institutions. They also have the opportunity to pursue independent projects with a faculty advisor. Researchers share their work at the Spring Student Symposium, professional conferences, and as co-authored, published findings in undergraduate research and professional journals.

Undergraduate Research in the CTLR support includes advising, research resources, information about opportunities, and funding for senior work, academic conference participation, and summer research with Middlebury faculty.

What Middlebury Students Have to Say

I learned a great deal about Bunraku as well as the culture behind many of these traditional performing arts in Japan. I can’t wait to share my experience with the Japanese department and will most certainly draw on this experience for many future projects during my time at Middlebury. I hope to revisit the Tonda troupe when I inevitably return to Japan.—Gabriela Rosen ‘26

As one of the few undergraduates who participated in the [HMS-Boston Bacterial Meeting], it really reminded me of the student-focused research environment that Middlebury has offered so far since lots of people shared their lack of research experience during college…it inspires me to pursue a greater focus on microbiology and I would like to investigate the pathogenesis of bacterial infections.—Taylor Han ‘25

It felt exactly like what I want to do as a historian! I spent the entire weekend digging through archival boxes and sorting chronologically and thematically the information I need. I learned so much valuable information for my thesis and I am the only scholar until this point to go through this material. I also learned so much interpersonally…especially when I was looking through materials so dear to [them].—Kristen Morgenstern ‘24

Faculty Resources

Research Information for faculty, including how to hire research assistants during the academic year and summer, can be found in the CTLR’s faculty resources.