Undergraduate Research FAQ

Point of Contact

Prof. Nathan K. Hensley, Director of Undergraduate Studies, nh283@georgetown.edu.

Philosophy of research

Research in English can take many shapes, but generally means focused reading in primary and secondary literatures and committed attention to cultural objects. It may also include archival work, aesthetic evaluation, social and political analysis, theoretical speculation, and advanced study of particular topics, texts, or cultural producers. For an honors thesis, research production may include creative writing or multimedia projects.

How to get started

Research methods are introduced in our course for early majors, “Ways of Reading,” and can continue in any number of other courses, including those focusing on “Histories” or “Identities” —the Department’s two requirements. Advanced research is undertaken in the Honors Program, which is open by application. 

How to get connected with a faculty mentor

Please email the Director of Undergraduate Studies, who can act as an initial sounding board for research plans, and can help arrange connections with individual faculty. During junior year, potential thesis topics are circulated to faculty in a matching process based on availability and intellectual specialization. 

Earning credit for undergraduate research

Credit is available to students via for-credit courses involving research. The Honors seminar is a year-long, full-credit course sequence for those committed to advanced study in English.

Getting paid for research

Faculty sometimes hire research assistants. By rule, these positions are advertised via the University’s on-campus job listings site, but it often makes good sense to speak with individual faculty regarding your availability for work before these general calls are posted. 

Thesis or capstone research

Students conduct advanced research on their chosen topic for the Honors thesis seminar. Outlined in dialogue with the thesis advisor, this work generally begins in the spring and summer before senior year and continues until the final submission of the project in the spring of senior year.