Getting Started

Getting started is easy. Here are the steps to take to get involved:

Browse current research opportunities to identify a research opportunity that interests you.
Alternatively, browse the Jackson School website to discover opportunities that align with your interests:
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, you can check out faculty profiles or the different research programs:
- University of Texas Institute of Geophysics researcher profiles
- Bureau of Economic Geology research programs
Reach out to a faculty member or researcher via email to request a meeting. Tips to writing introductory emails to professors can be found here and here.
Attend an information session to learn more about research on campus.
Talk to your academic advisor or professors about different ways to get engaged in research, including writing a thesis as part of the Honors Program or Jackson Scholars. There are also summer programs like the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program.

attend seminars and presentations to learn about research in fields you’re interested in and approach the presenter if something they discussed has sparked your interest.
take a class with a professor whose research interests you and engage with them in office hours or after class about research opportunities.
practice writing introductory emails to professors. Use online guides for cold emailing about working in a lab, for example here and here.