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Update:

All CHS websites are under review after the issuance of the "Dear Colleague" letter from the U.S. Department of Education and the Notice of Civil Rights Term and Condition of Award from the National Institutes of Health.

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Research

The College of Humanities and Sciences develops and advances nationally recognized student and faculty scholarship, research and creative initiatives committed to addressing challenges in our urban Richmond community and beyond.

We aim to become a leader in integrating meaningful engagement with real-world challenges that support the development of global citizens.

Student Research

We have many faculty who are internationally recognized experts in their fields. In the College of Humanities and Sciences, we prioritize student engagement and interaction with faculty. We don't just want you to help with research, we want you to lead.

The diversity of our research means students can obtain hands-on experience in many different areas in order to find their passion. Many CHS faculty conduct community engaged research, which allows students the opportunity to conduct research that has a meaningful, positive impact on VCU and our Richmond community.

Learn more about student research

Faculty Research

Our faculty conduct research on an extraordinarily diverse set of topics, ranging from the understanding of the histories of Native American people, to addressing inequality and disparities in education, to climate change and the development of alternative and efficient energy sources.

CHS faculty regularly win a variety of prestigious awards, fellowships and scholarships, including Woodrow Wilson fellowships and Fulbright scholarships. They also hold some of the largest grants at VCU, including center grants from the Centers for Disease Control to prevent youth violence and from the Federal Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health to understand the health consequences of e-cigarettes and the impact of policies put in place to regulate them.

Student and Faculty Research in the News

VCU will hold its 43rd annual Faculty Convocation on Aug. 20. (File photo)

Aug. 18, 2025

Faculty Convocation will honor seven VCU educators and researchers

The 43rd annual ceremony on Aug. 20 celebrates outstanding teaching, scholarship and service.

Sunwoo Kim conducted migraine research with Joseph McClay, Ph.D., through the Honors Summer Undergraduate Research Program. (Jonathan Mehring, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Aug. 18, 2025

VCU summer program puts two heads together for migraine research

Undergraduate Sunwoo Kim and School of Pharmacy professor Joseph McClay explore genetic angle to debilitating headaches.