Faculty Research
Our faculty conduct research on an extraordinarily diverse set of topics.
Their work ranges 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.
Faculty Research in the News
Nov. 4, 2026
VCU historian’s new book navigates a pillar of Cherokee history: Water in southern Appalachia
In ‘The Water Carriers,’ history professor Gregory D. Smithers explores an overlooked but enduring element of Indigenous culture.
Oct. 29, 2026
NBC News and ‘Today’ feature VCU’s Stephen Fong in report on data centers and public health
The environmental researcher highlights concern about air pollution in a Northern Virginia community.
Oct. 20, 2026
VCU to translate climate research in unique ways through Ecopoetics of Infrastructure
Led by the Humanities Research Center, the multidisciplinary project in Richmond will feature poetry, visual art, music and community engagement.