Internships, Research, and Travel

GSWS offers undergraduates opportunities to study gender and sustainability in Italy, to receive credit and/or funding for undertaking independent research projects, or to pursue internships in a variety of sites.  GSWS also sponsors an academic community, Science in a Gendered World, and two Living Learning Communities (LLCs) for first-year students focusing on Gender and Sexuality or Women and Leadership.

Lynne Layton Fellowships

The Lynne Layton Fellowships, established by Pitt alum Dr. Lynne Layton,  offer funding to undergraduate students pursuing internships related to the study of gender and sexuality.  Successful applicants will receive stipends of $1500 (paid in two installments) for spending a minimum of 6 hours per week on their project or internship, supervised by a GSWS-affiliated faculty member, and will be asked to present about their findings or experience at a GSWS forum.

In 2020-21, because of COVID restrictions, Layton Fellowships were also used for research internships supporting Pitt's LGBTQ Archives Project and other research projects focused on gender and/or sexuality studies.  For Spring 2023, the Fellowships will again be used to support internships.

Applications for Summer and Fall 2023 are due via email to gsws@pitt.edu ASAP.  Information about previous Layton Fellows can be found here. For questions about the application process or to consult about internship sites, contact Dr. Frayda Cohen.

Thomas J. Peterson LGBTQ Studies Scholarships

The Thomas J. Peterson LGBTQ Studies Scholarships, established by Pitt alum Thomas J. Peterson, support student research into LGBTQ+ history.  Successful applicants receive stipends of $1500 (paid in two installments) to support research projects related to LGBTQ+ History supervised by a GSWS faculty member.  Spring 2023 Awardees will be part of an innovative and collaborative Pitt LGBTQ Archives Project to develop work towards a collective and ongoing history of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ community with a specific focus on the intersection of national issues and events with the emergence and advancement of the LGBTQ community in the Pittsburgh area and the western Pennsylvania region. 

Applications due Friday, February 2, 2024 by noon. 

Information about previous Peterson Scholars can be found here.

GSWS Student Research Funds

The competition is open to graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh engaged in research related to the study of gender and/or sexuality. The number of projects funded and the amount of funding vary each year depending on donations to the program. Awards of up to $1000 are made to support travel expenses, secretarial costs, research materials, or other direct costs related to research. Travel and expenditures must be arranged in advance through the Program. Partial conference funding related to larger research projects (e.g. dissertation work) may be available.

Priority will be given to individuals who have not received funding in the past. To be eligible, students must be officially enrolled in the certificate program or in the major and have made progress toward their requirements. Students must be official Pitt students during the time that they will use the funds. Preference will be given to proposals with a clear research rationale that effectively address readers beyond the project's home discipline and that actively engage and contribute to gender/sexuality/women's studies scholarship. Upon completion of the research, students may be asked to present their findings to the GSWS community through a brownbag presentation or to write a story for the newsletter or website.

Please note that grant awards are subject to available funds.  The competition for research funds is currently on hold until research travel can be safely undertaken.

More information about Student Research Funds and the application process can be found here

Internships and UTAships for Credit

GSWS students are also eligible to undertake internships and undergraduate teaching assistantships (UTAs) for course credit, with approval and supervision.  Contact Frayda Cohen (frayda.cohen@pitt.edu), the Undergraduate Advisor, for more information.

Other Funded Research Opportunities at Pitt

Other research opportunities that can be used to support research in gender and sexuality studies at Pitt include the Brackenridge Fellowships sponsored by the University Honors College and the Archival Scholars Research Awards sponsored by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.