For Linguistics and Language Studies majors, getting started in research can happen in many different ways. For some, it starts out as a paper they completed for a class. Others get involved in the work of a lab or other research group in the department. Another way to get involved is by talking to a faculty member whose work interests you. Some other concrete ways to get involved in research are listed below.
Undergraduate Research Fellows in Linguistics and Language Sciences (URFLLS)
The Undergraduate Research Fellows in Linguistics and Language Science (URFLLS) program provides students with hands-on research experience. Students in the program enroll in LING 149 (Research Skills in Linguistics) in winter quarter to learn about research questions and methods, as well as gain a range of technical experience. Students participate in the Humanities EXPLORE program during the spring quarter, alongside other undergraduate researchers working on faculty projects in the division.
Applications to the program are typically due in late October each year. An information session is held early in the fall term regarding eligibility and the application process.
To apply to the URFFLS program, students must have completed the following two prerequisites: (i) four 1-level courses (LING 53, 100, 101, 112, 171) and (ii) one 2-level (LING 102, 113, 116, 151, 171) or skills-based class in Linguistics (LING 147) or Psychology (PSYC 100). The second prerequisite can be fulfilled concurrently with LING 149.
Contact the Undergraduate Coordinator (ling@ucsc.edu) for more information about the URFLLS program.
Recent URFLLS Research Projects
Voice memory for indexical and lexical information
Grant McGuire
Voice analysis coding
Grant McGuire
Sentence processing study
Matt Wagers
Bias and language with LLMs
Pranav Anand
A’ingae Nasals Project
Ryan Bennett
Subjectivity judgment task
Pranav Anand and Amanda Rysling
Experimental syntax and islands
Ivy Sichel and Matt Wagers
Dismissive markers in English
Jess Law
Senior Thesis
Students who have an exemplary record in their coursework may pursue the thesis option for the senior exit requirement. To do this, they should first consult with a faculty member about appropriate topics, ideally well before the end of their junior year. A formal thesis proposal must be submitted at least three quarters before a student’s planned graduation date.
Undergraduate Research Funding
The Linguistics Department has a limited amount of funds from the Rickford Fund and other sources to support outstanding research projects by undergraduates. Funds are to to be used to cover research expenses, or travel to conferences to present research. Awards may be capped at $300 per person, though applicants can submit a request for a larger amount. Applications, which consist of a one-page research statement, a budget, and the name of a faculty member who supports the application, can be submitted at any point in the academic year. Please contact the Undergraduate Program Director for more details.
Linguistics Undergraduate Research Conference (LURC)
At the end of every spring quarter, several linguistics and language studies students present their independent research at the annual Linguistics Undergraduate Research Conference (LURC).