Social Science & Policy Studies
2026 Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase
The 2026 Undergraduate Research Project Showcase was a celebration of research, design, and creative theses—a requirement of every graduating senior through the Major Qualifying Project (MQP)—takes place each spring on campus. Student teams representing all academic departments present their work to their faculty advisors, external sponsors, and the community-at-large, and the public is invited. The chemistry and biochemistry department had extraordinary projects with thorough research from each participating student, as well as two exemplary MQP students who were awarded the Major Qualifying Project Awards. You can see all award winners in this spotlight!
Start Your Undergraduate Experience with SSPS
Whether you’re a prospective WPI student or a current student interested in pursuing a double major or minor, explore all SSPS has to offer for undergraduates and learn how our degrees complement WPI’s STEM programs.
Get Ready for Your Graduate Career
Prepare yourself for a lifelong career of social impact by joining one of many SSPS graduate programs, from system dynamics and learning science to innovation for global development.
Student Projects in SSPS
Project-based learning is a pillar of the WPI Plan. Through hands-on projects in SSPS, students develop real-world solutions to societal challenges at the intersection of human behavior and psychology, the environment and sustainability, global development, public policy, and systems thinking.
Faculty Research
Our expert faculty embody a wide range of expertise, from political science and economics to environmental studies and psychology. Learn more about the ongoing research projects of SSPS faculty and get involved as an undergraduate or graduate researcher!
Meet Our Students
Featured Student Project
Uranium and The Navajo Nation
Kylar Foley ’24’s research highlights the dangers of uranium mines, emphasizing both the chemical and radiological effects
From WPI's University Magazine
The Space Quest Launched Here
On the 100th anniversary of Robert Goddard's launch of the first liquid-fuel rocket, we ask current members of the WPI community how they got their "spark.
The Science of Teaching and Learning
A growing number of WPI faculty are dedicating research efforts to studying—scientifically and empirically—how people learn or how to help people learn.
ChatGPT: Revolutionary Tech or Pandora’s Box?
WPI experts weigh in on what should excite and alarm us about large-language models.
Field Work in Sustainability
Don Seville ’92 uses systems thinking to improve farming and food.
Faculty Snapshot
Meet Assistant Professor Crystal Brown in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies.
Media Coverage
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