The Heller School encourages all doctoral students to become involved in a research project, mentored by a dedicated Heller faculty member.
Heller and its nationally-renowned research centers have pioneered in a variety of policy areas, including health; mental health; substance abuse; children, youth, and families; aging; international and community development; disabilities; work and inequality; and hunger and poverty. At the Heller School, over $11 million of sponsored research projects play an integral part in graduate education, and the social policy institutes and centers serve as an intermediary for students and scholars in policy specialties to secure resources and respond to funding opportunities.
Becoming Involved in Research
Heller encourages all doctoral students to become involved in a research project through one of the four social policy research institutes that contribute to the intellectual foundation and scholarship within the Heller School. Heller's applied interdisciplinary approach to research bridges the gap between theory and practice. Working on a research project gives you access to a cadre of faculty and research staff who will expand upon your in-class education. You'll develop your skills in a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods. You'll see classroom theories put into practice and acquire a better understanding of real-world questions and the interdisciplinary options available to address them. You will find the opportunity to meet and work collaboratively with experts in other institutions, building your own network and opening up doors to possible funding and job opportunities. Often students discover data for their own dissertations and opportunities for publishing through these networks.
Heller's applied interdisciplinary approach to research bridges the gap between theory and practice. Working on a research project gives you access to a cadre of faculty and research staff
who will expand upon your in-class education. You'll develop your skills in a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods. You'll see classroom theories put into practice and acquire a better understanding of real-world questions and the interdisciplinary options available to address them. You will find the opportunity to meet and work collaboratively with experts in other institutions, building your own network and opening up doors to possible funding and job opportunities. Often students discover data for their own dissertations and opportunities for publishing through these networks.Shared Commitment
The Heller School faculty and research staff is a diverse group of individuals representing a variety of disciplines and areas of expertise, well-respected and at the top of their fields. They share a commitment to applying rigorous social inquiry to the issues of human health and well-being, striving to influence social policies and programs by closing the gap between theory and practice. By coming to Heller, you will be choosing to work side-by-side with mentors who will hone your research and analytical skills. The relationships you build, both in and out of the classroom, with faculty and research staff will be the foundation for collaborative work when it comes time for the dissertation. Those whom you choose to serve on your dissertation committee will provide methodological, substantive, and supportive guidance to your work.
