Tyndale Psychology Students Gain Unique Research Experience
Intimate class sizes afford Tyndale UC Psychology students the opportunity to work closely with professors to develop in-depth research projects. As part of their research courses, students are encouraged to do high-level research and present their findings at conferences.
Throughout the year, students work collaboratively with professors and conduct research studies. They have the opportunity to present their findings at the annual Tyndale Student Research Symposium. Afterwards, many elaborate on their work and submit their abstracts to psychological associations.
This spring, six Tyndale students will be presenting their research at the Association of Psychological Science (APA) and the Canadian Psychology Association conferences. Dr. Sujin Yang, Assistant Professor of Psychology, notes that students benefit greatly from conference attendance as they “gain a lot of new insights attending a conference, talking and working with professionals”. According to Dr. Yang, students can “see and talk to researchers they have read so much about”. The students have received support from the Dean’s Office and the Student Council in funding their attendance and presentations at various conferences.
Research opportunities at Tyndale give students an edge when venturing into the competitive environment of graduate school admissions. Students doing research at Tyndale are given first authorship of their paper, a rare honour for undergraduate students. While they are closely supported by their advisors, the research is distinctly their own.
Upon returning to Tyndale after a conference, students are privileged to act as an inspiration to and mentor for junior students who are beginning their own research. As students work through the difficulties of developing a research question, research methods, and completing their study, their hard work is noticed. “These students are an inspiration for me…it can be painful for them to overcome their limits”, says Dr. Yang.