A Look Into Research At Carleton

One of the best parts of being at Carleton is the chance to dive into hands-on academic research, even as an undergrad. I joined the Perception Lab in my sophomore year, led by Professor Julia Strand, and it’s been one of my favorite parts of my academic journey here.

Research at Carleton isn’t about doing busy work in a lab. It’s about asking questions, designing studies, collecting data, and contributing meaningfully to science. Whether you’re planning on grad school (PhD, pre-med, pre-law, you name it) or just want to explore what research feels like, Carleton gives you the chance to be in the thick of it, not just on the sidelines like at some other schools.

Not to be too biased, but the Perception Lab is the best. Julia creates such a warm, supportive space — she invites us over for homemade dinners and brunch, and fosters a culture where learning from mistakes is part of the process. It’s a zero-competition, high-camaraderie vibe.

This past week, I traveled to Chicago, IL with our research team to attend the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) conference! This included a six-hour road trip (with a stop in Madison for food, of course), conference talks ranging from relationship science to statistics, and some classic sightseeing downtown.

Best part? Everything was paid for — transportation, hotel, conference registration, and food.

At the conference, we presented a research poster on our recent study. The Perception Lab investigates how people perceive and understand spoken language. Our project focused on how first-language English speakers (L1) and non-native English speakers (LX) differ in how they identify spoken words.

As I said, one thing I really appreciate about Carleton is that undergrads get to be deeply involved in the research process. At many universities, undergrads are stuck doing data entry or other busy work while grad students take the lead. But at Carleton, we can actually do hands-on science. During my time as a lab member, I’ve helped design experiments, collect and analyze data, write code, and even co-author a research paper we hope to publish.

So if you’re thinking about grad school, or just want to explore what research feels like, Carleton’s the kind of place where you’ll get real, meaningful experience — and maybe a road trip or two along the way.

Emma is a junior Psychology major with a Neuroscience minor, originally from NorCal and now living in Miami, FL. Needless to say, she’s happiest when the sun is out and there’s no snow on the ground… which, in Minnesota, isn’t always the case. She stays energized and positive by diving into her comps and doing academic research in the Perception Lab. You can usually find her lifting weights at the Rec Center or sipping matcha at her favorite cafe downtown (Little Joy… and only Little Joy). As a first-gen, low-income student in TRIO and a former peer leader at the GSC, Emma is passionate about community and support systems on campus. She’s also one of the few Brazilians at Carleton. Como vai?