Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students seeking research experience are welcome in our laboratory. We have a track record of accommodating students majoring in Economics, Sociology, Psychology, and Community Health, as well as professional programs like Healthcare Administration and Public Health. We are interested in students that have great interpersonal skills and are detail-oriented. Participants get the chance to work on applied social research projects that have real-world impact! Responsibilities may vary, encompassing literature review, data gathering and interview transcription, data interpretation, manuscript composition, and more.

Benefits of being a research assistant include:

Experience with statistical software (R/SAS) for data entry and analysis.
Interaction with research subjects for interviews and visits.
Experience carrying out study protocols and administering lab tasks, including questionnaires, computer-based tasks of executive functioning, etc.
Access to resources/advice for gradaute programs and other job opportunities from graduate students, lab staff members, and Principal Investigators.
Transferrable soft and technical skills that will make you a competitive candidate for graduate programs.
Students enrolled at Urbana may be eligible for academic credit for volunteering in the lab.

Interested students should complete an application here.

Graduate Students

The Lotspeich-Yadao Lab opens its doors to graduate students, providing opportunities to gain practical experience in research. Generally, students who are interested in studying applied, community, or military sociology, or have an interest in demographic methods, would be a good match for my lab. This is especially true if they are interested in one of my primary lines of research.

Students in my lab are expected to publish often, based on their program of research, and these paper submissions are based on data collected from existing data as well as active, ongoing data collection from funded research projects.

I’m primarily looking for students who are self-starters with a strong scientific passion, curiosity, and intelligence. You should be a team player, responsible, careful, interpersonally skilled, balanced, and well-rounded. For those intrigued and willing to explore this opportunity, you should complete an application here.

We believe in a relationship-based approach to student supervision. A relationship-based approach to graduate student mentorship emphasizes the interpersonal dynamics between mentors and mentees. It recognizes that the success of a mentoring relationship is not solely determined by the technical guidance or advice given, but also by the nature of the relationship established between the advisor and the graduate student. This type of mentorship considers the unique needs and experiences of each student, promoting the importance of empathy, trust, and mutual understanding.

I will respect the individuality and aspirations of you as a student, and likewise, you must trust my experience and wisdom.
I will be an active listener, fostering understanding and empathy, which helps me provide advice that is truly relevant and helpful.
I am adaptable to your needs, which may include adjusting communication style, frequency of meetings, or the type of guidance provided.
Rather than just providing answers, I will help you develop your own problem-solving abilities. This helps you gain confidence, autonomy, and the capacity to overcome future challenges independently.
I will provide you with limited emotional support, helping you deal with the pressures and stresses associated with graduate study.

Overall, a relationship-based approach to graduate student mentorship can create a more fulfilling, effective, and enriching experience for both advisors and students. It encourages the development of not just academic or professional skills, but also interpersonal and emotional competencies. We are more productive as a team because we acknowledge the realities of human social behavior.

If you are looking for me to serve as your primary advisor:

I anticipate that you will consider and respond to my concerns during our meetings about your thesis or dissertation. In cases where I serve as part of your committee, I will respect the guidance of your main advisor in situations of conflicting advice. Nonetheless, it’s important that you take my feedback into account.
I would like to be involved in significant decisions, such as the courses you enroll in, the jobs and grants you’re applying for, research assistant positions, summer projects, and any other engagements that demand considerable time commitment from you.
It’s crucial to keep me updated about your evolving goals. My role is to assist you in acquiring the necessary skills for self-directed research. However, I understand that not all students will or should pursue careers where self-directed research is the primary responsibility, and I am here to support you, no matter the direction your career takes.
I am perfectly comfortable with you deciding to switch to another primary advisor, but kindly inform me about such changes, so I won’t be concerned about your progress. I recommend a monthly check-in with me, regardless of the level of progress made on your research.

If you are looking for me to serve on your committee:

Inform me promptly if you wish for me to serve on your committee. 
I anticipate reviewing your work significantly ahead of any scheduled meetings or requisite signatures. I need to see rough drafts four weeks prior to any approvals, and final drafts should be provided at least a week in advance. Typically, I will provide a list of issues for you to tackle before I consent to sign.

Visiting Scholars

The Lotspeich-Yadao Lab is open to collaborations with visiting scholars. We have a history of fostering such scholarly participation. If you have an interest in being part of our lab, we encourage you to get in touch with us at mlots2@illinois.edu for further details.