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Finding Research Opportunities as a BSDS Student
What is undergraduate research? How do I find research opportunities? These are some of the most frequent questions that prospective BSDS students ask. While not required, undergraduate research allows students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a tangible, real-world problem and achieve measurable findings or results.
In this blog, BSDS Ambassadors Rachel Seo and Madeliene Cummings share how they discovered a research opportunity, what their experience entailed, and what advice they have for students interested in pursuing their own research journey.
Rachel Seo
Major: Data Science
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Clifton, VA
When I first entered the BSDS program, the word research was often tossed around by faculty and staff, which I found slightly daunting. All I really knew was that research opportunities were highly sought after by students for a multitude of reasons, mostly because they are great resume builders. Having been an undergraduate researcher for the past year, I can confirm that research does strengthen your resume. However, it is much more than that. Being part of the research community has helped me further develop the skills I have learned in the classroom.
I will admit that my path to research was unorthodox. My faculty advisor, associate professor Peter Alonzi, happened to be looking for another student researcher to join his team. Before this opportunity came up, every faculty member I spoke with at the School of Data Science was incredibly enthusiastic about their work and eager to explain it. Still, I was not entirely sure what their lab members did day-to-day to contribute to the research.
It wasn’t until I was fully onboarded and given my first task — collaborating on a research paper with my co-researcher for the 2025 SIEDS conference — that I truly understood my role as an undergraduate researcher. As students, our primary job is to learn, and research is simply an extension of that learning beyond the classroom. It offers a space for professional growth in a supportive environment. The process involves making mistakes, receiving feedback, and learning how to adapt.
So far, being part of the Criminal Justice Data Training Initiative (CJDTI) under Professor Alonzi’s guidance has been one of the highlights of my college career. It has given me opportunities to apply my presentation, writing, and prompt-engineering skills, and more. The learning curve was steep at first, but it was necessary to turn potential into something meaningful.
My advice for prospective and current BSDS students interested in research opportunities is simple: be intentional. Be intentional about the relationship you want to build with your research mentor, how you want to grow through the experience, and what topics genuinely interest you. Of course, this can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with your professors’ research areas. That is why I recommend starting by setting up meetings with professors whose work interests you. Take time to learn about their research and share your curiosity.
The School of Data Science prides itself on a collaborative culture, and that spirit carries into its research opportunities. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation. Show your enthusiasm and think about how your skills might contribute to their work. You never know where it might lead. You got this!
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Madeleine Cummings
Major: Data Science
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Madison, Connecticut
When I first started thinking about getting involved in research, I was not aware of how many opportunities existed both on and off Grounds. As a BSDS student, I have had two research experiences: one that I am currently participating in through the School of Data Science and another that I completed while studying abroad at DIS Copenhagen.
The School of Data Science provides several ways for undergraduates to get involved, including through research. Last October, the School hosted the Faculty Research Expo for students in the data science program. During the event, more than 10 faculty members presented their research to interested undergraduates. These faculty members were specifically looking to bring undergraduate students into their projects. After the expo, an application was sent out where students could indicate interest in any of the projects they had heard about. This helped make the process of finding a research assistant position more structured and accessible. While reaching out to professors directly is also a great way to find research opportunities, the School of Data Science provides ways to make the process easier. This is why it is always worth keeping an eye on opportunities shared in the School of Data Science’s weekly communications.
While it might seem like research opportunities would be harder to find if you go abroad, the School of Data Science also simplifies this process. One of the most popular study abroad programs for BSDS students is DIS, which has locations in Stockholm and Copenhagen. Both locations offer research opportunities across a wide range of fields. DIS makes it easy for students to apply by offering an optional research application that can be completed after being accepted into the general program. The application includes a couple of short responses, a resume, and a recommender.
In my first research experience while abroad, I worked on a project examining how investment behaviors and outcomes differ by gender. While we were contributing to a larger research initiative, each student also developed their own research question. My project focused on how the social visibility of mothers affects daughters’ risk-taking behaviors and their financial outcomes. I explored this question by conducting a survey and analyzing the results. Although the project was not explicitly data science focused, the skills I developed in my data science classes helped guide the process: from thinking about ethical data collection to properly cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing the data.
In my current research, I am part of a broader project exploring the history of computing, labor, gender, and the impact of technology on society. My specific focus is researching a group called Computer People for Peace. This work involves searching through databases and archives to identify references to the group and documenting the information I find.
Both experiences have shown me that research can take different forms, and that data science skills can contribute to projects across a wide range of fields. For students interested in getting involved, I encourage you to explore the opportunities shared by the School of Data Science and to stay open to projects that may not look exactly like what you study in class. You may be surprised by the many ways your data science skills can be applied.
Next Steps
We invite you to attend our upcoming events or read our blog to explore all that the BSDS major has to offer. You are welcome to reach out to us any time at sdsadmissions@virginia.edu.
Learn more about the data science bachelor's degree at the University of Virginia. Request more information, connect with Admissions, or start your application today.
