Student Research and Policy Program

student research tag

Status: Ongoing

Purpose: The GSP Student Research and Policy Program provides science students an opportunity to conduct independent research with the potential to impact policy and to share their results with the public and decision makers. Participants will gain experience in research methods and science communication and will learn to think beyond the lab to use their research findings for the public good.

Components
-Students may perform an analytical project, including sample collection and data analysis around a central research question
-Students may also perform literature research to reach conclusions on specific topics and prepare the following to communicate their science and policy findings:
    A fact sheet
    An oral presentation
    A poster presentation (see example below)
    Research paper (can be used as basis for undergraduate honors thesis)
-Students can also communicate their findings via social media, op-eds, and press releases
-Student projects often have professional mentors in academia, business, government, or industry who are interested in the outcome of their research and can provide information and a real world perspective

Poster from a group project, summer 2011

UC Berkeley- summer 2011 and summer 2012 sessions
Participants: U.C. Berkeley undergraduates in toxicology, chemistry, environmental science
Analytical Projects: Collection and analysis of samples from couches, chairs, mattress pads, and other foam-containing items to examine the reach of California’s furniture flammability standards.
Analysis of flame retardant volatilization from furniture foam.

Research Projects: Prioritization of the halogenated chemicals with the greatest levels of human exposure and toxicity, standards leading to toxics in green buildings, international flame retardant production and use, the connection between feline hyperthyroid disease and flame retardant exposure

If you are interested in learning more or hosting a Student Research and Policy Program session on your campus, please contact Veena Singla (veena@greensciencepolicy.org).