UMass Amherst Human Security Lab Empowers Students in Impactful Research

The Undergraduate Research Experience Program (UREP) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Human Security Lab is enabling students to conduct meaningful research under the guidance of political science professor and Human Security Lab director Dr. Charli Carpenter.

The Human Security Lab supports interdisciplinary research related to pressing global issues including human rights, conflict, inequality, and climate change. Dr. Carpenter, an expert on these topics, oversees the program to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that apply academic theories to real-world problems. The students will work with Dr. Carpenter and teams of graduate students on projects related to nuclear disarmament, women's issues in Afghanistan, civilian protection in Ukraine, and climate security.

This year's UREP team consists of four accomplished senior students - Ruya Hazeyen, Ryan Richards, Ben Brown, and Lynette Lavigne. Ruya is a Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies major focusing on post-colonial studies and gender/sexuality. Ryan is a Political Science and History major interested in international law and humanitarian disarmament. Ben majors in Political Science and Spanish, researching transitional justice and international relations. Lynette studies Political Science and Biology, exploring international security and civilian protection.

By participating in UREP, these undergraduates expressed excitement at gaining practical skills while collaborating on research tackling pressing human welfare concerns worldwide. For example, Ben appreciated the chance to apply classroom learning to "work towards something meaningful." As Ryan noted, "Dr. Carpenter's reputation made me confident we would conduct important work beyond just getting a grade."

Already this semester, two of the students helped prepare for and sat in on a briefing with civilian protection experts in Ukraine who provided feedback and insight on the situation of families affected by Ukraine’s martial law and how to weigh those concerns against the need to protect the civilian population against the invasion. These students will assist in incorporating the results of these conversations into working papers the Lab is preparing for publication. Other students are assisting teams on working papers regarding human rights in Afghanistan and the nuclear taboo.

UREP at the Human Security Lab embodies UMass Amherst's commitment to public service. Under the leadership of Dr. Carpenter, affiliated faculty and advanced UMass graduate students, and with the support of Lab Assistant Naa Odjidja and Outreach Coordinator Rahul Gundeti, the program cultivates the next generation of human security researchers, addressing complex global problems through an interdisciplinary approach. UREP's applied, socially conscious research exemplifies UMass Amherst's mission of knowledge in service of humanity.