Research
Working closely with faculty experts, our students put theory into practice through on-site and off-site research opportunities.
Our faculty are leaders in their fields and mentors in the classroom.
Our faculty and students are actively engaged in research, scholarship and creative work. They publish intriguing research articles, exhibit original artwork, share their expertise at major conferences — and so much more.
Working closely with a faculty mentor, our students conduct, present, and publish cutting-edge empirical research. You’ll gain hands-on experience in the classroom and graduate with a remarkable record of publications, professional experience, and an extensive portfolio.
“Faculty research and creative work are key ingredients for achieving the goals of our small university.”
— Provost Russell Pinizzotto
Research Centers and Resources
Research Labs
Our modern teaching laboratories are designed for high-impact, active-learning teaching and research practices and are capped at 16 students to increase faculty-student interactions. Four faculty-student research clusters foster interdisciplinary collaborations and include a biomedical ultrasound laboratory; a microscopy center; a separation, quantitation, and spectroscopy center, and three level two certified tissue culture and microorganisms laboratories.
Centers with a Focus on Research
Research is at the heart of the work done in many of the centers on campus.
Programs and Funds with a Research Component
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships offers a range of programs that support undergraduate academic and professional growth.
Student Research in the News
Chemistry/Physics Student Accepted into Research Experience at UPenn
Annabelle Hannah ’25, a double-major in Chemistry and Physics, was accepted into the 2024 summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). The 10-week program is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
A Mother Follows Her Child’s Footsteps to a Simmons Education
During high school, Devin Ryan ’21 toured Simmons, where they later majored in Biology. Meanwhile, someone close to Ryan was also inspired by that campus tour: their mother, Misty Neader ’25MSW.
A Multidisciplinary Education: Irish Immersion, State House Internship, and Reproductive Health Research
Sociology major Gracyn Delaune ’24 reflects on her time abroad, impactful internships and research opportunities, her favorite professors and what it is like to attend school in Boston.
Merging a Scholarly Stance with Lived Experience
Africana Studies and Political Science double major Reham Zeroual ’24 discusses her engagement with Student Senate, her favorite courses and professors, as well as her experience as a first-generation college student.
Discovering Purpose and Community through Art, Service, and Song
Arts Administration major Calla Savelson ’24 shares how she gained professional experience and build a community for herself during her time at Simmons.
Developing a Personal Passion into a Capstone Research Project
Exercise Science student and Barbara Lee Fellow Haleigh St.Hilaire ’24 explores the intersection of Exercise Science and Public Health through her internship at the Massachusetts State House.
Discovering an Empowering Atmosphere, Supportive Mentors, and Leadership Opportunities at Simmons
Neurobiology major Debora Edouard ’24 discusses her favorite moments at Simmons, her research, and her unique experience as a first-generation college student.
Enjoying the Opportunities at Simmons: From Studying Abroad to Internships to Research
Political Science and Spanish double major Estela Raya-Fouts ’24 discusses impactful internships, catching the travel bug, her favorite course and more Simmons memories.
Alumnae/i Research in the News
Finding Community at Simmons as a Transfer Commuter Student
While at Simmons, Exercise Science major and Health Care Management minor Kiani Jacobs ’23 received the 2023 Senior Scholar Award and interned at the Harvard Medical Ginty Lab on Neurological Research. Starting a PhD in Exercise Science this fall, she...
Breaking Ground with Qualitative Research in Hospice Care
Stephanie Wladkowski ’14PhD was a clinical social worker in hospice care when policy changes impacted her clinical practice. In a search for answers, Wladkowski began her PhD in Social Work at Simmons. Her dissertation, “Dementia Caregivers and Live Discharge from Hospice: What Happens When Hospice Leaves?,” has inspired further research in the field.
Nathan Brewer ’10MSW ’18PhD on Protecting College Students
Nathan Brewer ’10MSW ’18PhD is Director of the Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center (SARP) at Boston University (BU). After receiving his Master’s in Social Work from Simmons, he returned to the University to pursue his PhD in Social Work alongside his clinical practice. We spoke to Brewer about his experience in the program, and his current work at Boston University.
Mbita Mbao ‘22PhD Offers Wisdom and Caring for an Aging Population
When Mbita Mbao ’22PhD was looking for a doctoral program in social work, Simmons met all of her requirements: a Boston location and the ability to take all of her in-person classes in one day per week. More important than these criteria, Simmons had Dr. Johnnie Hamilton-Mason, Interim Director of the School of Social Work.
Dr. Beryl Irene Bailey ’81 Champions Content-Based Literacy in Educational Leadership Magazine
In a new article published in Educational Leadership, Dr. Beryl Irene Bailey identifies the reason for flailing literacy among elementary school students and proposes an innovative solution.
Kyle Ganson ’20PhD Broadens the Gender Perspectives of Eating Disorders
Kyle T. Ganson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. As part of his studies at Simmons, he created the course “Social Work Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders,” to be taught in Spring 2024. We spoke to Ganson about his doctoral experience at Simmons and the inspiration behind the course.
Lynne Passanisi ’11 Reflects on the Broad Career Field a Math Degree Can Make Possible
What made you choose to study Mathematics at Simmons? Simmons had a great, small, close-knit community, with the bonus of being in the larger city of Boston — it had a little of everything! When I first visited Simmons, I...
Kaitlin Allair ’21MS Researches Effects of Teen Media Use for the Digital Wellness Lab
Research librarian Kaitlin Allair shares insights on problematic teen social media use, the dangers of "sharenting," and other aspects of her research.
Faculty Research in the News
Advancing Harm Reduction: The Case for Overdose Prevention Centers
A conversation with Jeffrey Steen, Assistant Professor in the Simmons University School of Social Work.
Choosing Happiness: Uncovering the Journey to Happiness
An interview with Professor Naresh Agarwal from the School of Library and Information Science.
Exploring Immigrant Stories: Being, Longing, Surviving and Thriving
A conversation with Hugo Kamya, Professor in the Simmons University School of Social Work and Associate Director of the Center for Innovation in Clinical Social Work.
Voices of Resilience: Exploring Psychological Clubhouses and Older Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses
A conversation with Lydia Ogden, Associate Professor in the Simmons University School of Social Work and Director of the Center for Innovation in Clinical Social Work.
Professor Jennifer Roecklein-Canfield Selected as a 2024 Fellow of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Jennifer Roecklein-Canfield, Professor of Chemistry and Physics at Simmons, is among the 2024 cohort of Fellows within the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). She spoke with us about receiving this honor, advocating for women in STEM, and reimagining mentorship.
Assistant Professor of History Yunxin Li Examines Gendered Foundations of Ancient Chinese Medicine
In a recent article published in The Bulletin of the Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology, Assistant Professor of History Yunxin Li explores the role of women and gender in the theory and practice of medicine in ancient China. She spoke with us about her research and what she will reflect on during Women’s History Month.
Associate Professor Saher Selod Historicizes Islamophobia in the United States
On January 19, Simmons’ Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) hosted “Islamophobia in the United States: Understanding Past and Present Anti-Muslim Discrimination,” a virtual lecture by Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Research for the Institute of Social Policy and Understanding Saher Selod. This talk chronicled the history of anti-Muslim racism and demonstrated how 9/11 instituted a new era of the racialization of Muslims.
Professor of Education Daren Graves Co-Edits Forthcoming Book on Hip Hop Education
In January 2024, Bloomsbury Publishing (London) will release The Bloomsbury Handbook of Hip Hop Pedagogy, co-edited by Daren Graves, Professor of Education and Social Work at Simmons, and Dr. Lauren Leigh Kelly, an Associate Professor of Education at Rutgers University. This collection is “the first reference work to cover the theory, history, research methodologies, and practice of Hip Hop pedagogy.”