Summer Research Fellow Spotlight Chelsea Bass
The purpose of my project is to examine possible links between the presence of identity-relevant discussions about sex, feelings of future parenthood, and perceived social support. We know that LGBTQ individuals do not often receive identity relevant information from parents when it comes to sex, but we do not know the effects this may have on LGBTQ individuals or if social support could buffer possible feelings of grief regarding future parenthood.
Q: How did you first get interested in undergraduate research at UK?
A: "I knew from the start that I wanted to go to grad school, and I learned that being involved in research would help prepare me for that. I also knew that I wanted to conduct my own research at some point because of a study I participated in when I was in high school, so participating in research as an undergrad would help prepare me for that as well."
Q: How long have you been engaged in undergraduate research?
A: "I started in the FAD (Families, Adoption, and Diversity) lab the fall semester of my sophomore year."
Q: Describe what a typical day of remote summer research activity looks like for you. How does this differ from your pre-COVID research activity?
A: "Typically, I will spend time looking through the data set I am working with to create a code book that will be used in my senior thesis project. The only way this differs from pre-COVID is that our team meetings are on Zoom instead of in person."
Q: What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?
A: "The most exciting aspect has been creating a research question that I have an interest in and knowing that I am getting a head start on what will become a full fledged, (hopefully) publishable paper by this time next year."
Q: What advice would you give to other UK students thinking about doing research?
A: "Do it! It has helped me become a stronger academic in terms of time management, leadership, creative thinking, and so much more."
The UK Office of Undergraduate Research's Summer Research and Creativity Fellowship program provides undergraduates with the opportunity to study in a wide variety of disciplines while doing intensive and self-directed research or creative work under the supervision of a faculty mentor.