Undergraduate Students
If you are an undergraduate interested in becoming a member of our research team, please click here to complete an application.
Our research assistants participate in many aspects of the research process, such as creating experimental materials, transcribing, data entry, coding of data, and interviewing participants. We usually require at least a two-term commitment. Please e-mail a member of our Lab Staff should you have any questions regarding your application, or if you have questions about working in the lab: [email protected]
Fall 2026 Application Cycle:
Application review for the Fall 2026 semester has concluded. Thank you to everyone who applied for your interest in our lab.
Prospective Graduate Students
Prospective students are encouraged to apply to our graduate program. Information regarding the graduate application process is available online: Psychology Graduate Program at the University of Michigan.
Interested students can also contact Dr. Gelman, [email protected], to discuss research interests.
Join us at the Michigan Summer Program in Cognition & Early Development (MSPICED)
Applications for the MSPICED 2026 Summer Program have closed. Please check the MSPICED website for more information on our program for 2027.
We are seeking motivated students to participate first hand in developmental psychological research. Our research aims to understand the cognitive and social foundation of young children’s behavior, including how children think about the minds of others, how they cooperate, and how language shapes their thinking.
Our summer internship program this year will last 9 weeks. You will be paired with a graduate student or postdoctoral mentor to work on cutting-edge research. You will gain experience and exposure to a variety of research activities, including: conducting experimental studies with children; data analysis using advanced video coding technology and statistical software; recruiting and scheduling child participants and their families; and aiding in the development of research design.
In addition to participating in research, you will participate in weekly lab meetings and reading groups. This will give you a chance to learn more about current developments in psychological research and provide feedback on ongoing projects. You will learn how to give a poster presentation and how to summarize research findings in writing. We will include sessions on professional development, such as paths towards graduate school and advice on how to write research statements.
This is a cooperation of four laboratories, led by Dr. Felix Warneken, Dr. Ioulia Kovelman, Dr. Susan Gelman, and Dr. Nicole Gardner-Neblett.
Interested applicants can find more information about our internship program here. Applications for the 2026 Summer Program will open in January 2026.
An interest in psychology and working with children is essential, and previous experience is a plus. We offer half-time (20 hours a week) and full-time internships (30-40 hours a week). Some funding is available, especially for qualified underrepresented students. Applicants who come from an educational, cultural, or geographic background that is underrepresented in graduate study in their discipline in the United States or at the University of Michigan, should identify as such on the application form.
For questions, please send us an email at [email protected]