Supporting student researchers
Research is a valuable learning experience for all our students at the College of Communication and Information. RIC enhances student research activities through offering opportunities for paid research internships, experiences in the CCI Innovation Labs, networking within the research community, and research-oriented professional development.
Research resources and support for students
Equipment & technology
Use our equipment and technology to gather data for your research, including:
- Eye-tracking equipment and software
- Moderated and unmoderated user testing software
- Screen-recording software to gather user behavior data
- Virtual reality software to observe how users will interact in simulated environments
- Biometric reading equipment to track and record users’ physiological responses
- Space to conduct audio and video recorded focus groups
- A room with a one-way mirror to observe study subjects
- Social media analytics software to help listen to and track large-scale social media conversations and trends
- Social media analytics software to gather and export data sets consisting of conversations/posts about/from a brand, organization, media outlet, or topic
Navigating research
Our faculty and staff are also available to help you navigate questions you may have as you conduct your research, including:
- What equipment and/or technology is best suited to meet your goals
- How to export data from software and/or other technology
- What are the best approaches for analyzing data
- Which faculty have research interests similar to your own
- How to to seek funding sources for research
- What other resources are available to UT students
Graduate student funding
Current CCI graduate students can use the relevant forms below to request funding:
- Graduate Student Research Completion Fund: Graduate student researchers who are working on their thesis or dissertation
- Doctoral Student Research Support Fund: Doctoral student researchers who are working on projects outside their dissertation work
If you are a prospective student and would like to know more about how the College of Communication and Information supports graduate students, please review our Graduate Student Funding page.
Beyond the classroom
RIC manages relationships with many research intensive organizations in East Tennessee and beyond, such as Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), who are also committed to student development and launching careers.
Students gain:
- Professional development
- Real-word training outside academic environment
- Hands-on experience with lab equipment and technology
- Exposure for networking
My favorite thing is that we actually learned how to use the software in the UX Lab, which I think is so important for our resumes. Now I can say I know how to use eye-tracking software.”
Holly LIban (’24)
AlumnusSchool of Information Sciences
We’re here to help!
Logan Montuori
CCI Innovation Labs Manager
Contact for User eXperience Lab and Message Effects Lab services
