College of Humanities and Sciences

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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.

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

Biomedical engineering student Karah Moore has been a member of the lab of Rebecca Heise, Ph.D., for the past three years, researching cellular activity in diseased lungs. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Sept. 21, 2023

VCU awarded $3 million from the NIH to continue research training of students underrepresented in the sciences

Two renewed grants, which support undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing biomedical and behavioral research, highlight VCU’s national standing.

The Loose Parts project’s first event, “The Fountain,” transformed a portion of Reedy Creek in Forest Hill Park into a temporary adventure playground. (Courtesy photo)

Sept. 20, 2023

Loose Parts connects art and play to the serious work of child development

Building on an overseas tradition, a VCUarts and humanities team is creating engaging local play spaces where children won’t hear the common refrains “Don’t touch” or “Get down.”