Social Sciences/Humanities Summer Research | Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research w/ Professor Lee

Students are invited to apply to the Social Sciences/Humanities Summer Research Program, designed to expand research opportunities for students in the Social Sciences and Humanities fields for this summer 2026. Students can apply to each opportunity by including a resume and cover letter addressed to the faculty member listed in the job description. The application deadline is Sunday, April 12.  

Humanities/Social Sciences Summer Research Program | Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research w/ Professor Lee

Faculty Member: Professor Kerry Lee 

Job Description

Students will support an ongoing research study examining polyvictimization, discrimination, and well-being among Black men and women in the United States. Students will provide support in answering three specific research questions/aims: (1) how exposure to multiple forms of violence (i.e., adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration) across the life course shapes mental health outcomes and overall well-being among Black men and women; (2) the extent to which perceived colorism and racial discrimination predict mental health outcomes (e.g., depression and PTSD) and levels of social support among Black individuals; and (3) how adverse childhood experiences and positive childhood experiences interact to influence resilience and psychological distress. Together, these aims seek to better understand how both risk and protective factors shape mental health and well-being among Black individuals exposed to multiple forms of adversity. Students will work remotely and support the research process by conducting literature reviews, organizing and summarizing scholarly materials, assisting with data analysis, and contributing to the preparation of technical materials for peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference presentations.

Through participation in this project, students will gain experience in research design and research processes, quantitative data analysis, literature synthesis, and scholarly writing. By the end of the experience, students will contribute to research outputs, including literature review summaries, analysis support, and draft materials for peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference presentations, with the possibility of being included as a co-author based on the level of contribution. Students will work in a collaborative research environment and will receive regular supervision and mentorship from the principal investigator, with clearly delineated timelines and task assignments. They will also collaborate with other student researchers and research partners while completing both independent and team-based research activities. Although the responsibilities listed above represent the primary tasks, students may be asked to provide additional research support as needed within the context of the broader project.

Skills or Training 

1. Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and manage assigned research tasks.

2. Strong written communication skills and the ability to summarize and synthesize academic literature.

3. Ability to read and engage with scholarly research in the social sciences.

4. Attention to detail and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research team environment.

5. Basic proficiency with online academic databases (through Tripod) and Zotero.

6. Experience with SPSS or Stata would be good, but not required. 

Class Year Eligible: Current students in the Classes of 2027, 2028, 2029.

Majors: Social work, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Neuroscience, Gender and sexuality, Health Studies, Child and Family Studies, and Data Science.

Length: This position is full-time (minimum of 240 hours, over 10 weeks).The estimated start date is June 26, 2026. The estimated end date is August 7, 2026.

Internship Format: Remote 

Funding Award: This opportunity includes a funding award of $5,000 (minus 15-20% taxes). 

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact Katie Krimmel at kkrimmel@brynmawr.edu and Professor Kerry Lee at kalee@brynmawr.edu