The ILR Undergraduate Research Fellows Program provides ILR undergraduates with the opportunity to work with a professor during academic year 2024-2025. This program was developed in response to numerous requests we have received from undergraduates for research opportunities and in the hope that it will facilitate one-on-one student/faculty interactions. Students participating in this program will receive an hourly pay of $17 per hour for up to 10 hours a week. Awards will be made on a one semester basis with renewal possible for the second semester. Students may not earn credit for the research project during the semester or year they are being paid as a research assistant.

Communication Strategies in Social Exchange

This ongoing research project investigates how various communication strategies, such as politeness, caretaker statements, and the use of apologies, influence negotiation outcomes and social interactions. For example, employing politeness in negotiations can enable negotiators to make ambitious requests without alienating their counterparts. Caretaker statements from buyers, expressing a commitment to cherish the item, can sway sellers with strong emotional attachments to choose them based on these values rather than financial considerations alone. Additionally, the timing and manner of apologies can significantly affect perceptions of genuineness and the likelihood of forgiveness. Undergraduate Research Fellows will be involved in various tasks, including data collection through surveys and experiments, conducting literature reviews, and coding qualitative data. Fellows will gain hands-on experience in designing and running experiments, analyzing data, and understanding the nuanced ways communication strategies influence the outcomes of negotiations and broader social interactions. – with Professor Alice Lee.

To apply for this Fall 2024 research opportunity, please click Apply below.