Welcome to the Secularity and Sexuality (SECS) Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Our lab produces scholarship with two primary aims: 1) to promote mental health and equity for diverse nonbelievers in the United States and 2) to advance sexual and reproductive justice and liberation for all people. We seek to use critical perspectives, acknowledging the ways in which sociopolitical context influence lived experiences, as a framework for our explorations. As such, we’re particularly interested in the ways oppressive systems of power like White supremacy, patriarchy, heterosexism, cissexism, classism, and others influence people’s wellness and sense of liberation. Consistent with this framework, we often use qualitative and mixed methods approaches to examine our research questions and center the narratives of the people and communities we hope to support through our research.
Students interested in the SECS lab will receive one-on-one mentorship in the SECS lab on current projects in the lab. For example, students will collaborate with a current graduate student on the Bloodless period: A transfeminine experience project. Students will explore the phenomenon of the “bloodless period” and understand transfeminine people’s unique experiences of having a “bloodless period,” including the associated symptom(s), duration, and management of their menstrual-like symptoms. Students will have the opportunity to assist with other on on-going and upcoming lab projects as additional tasks become available. For more information about our lab and our projects, please visit our website https://cehs.unl.edu/secslab/
Advisor Name: | Dena Abbott | |
Email: | dabbott5@unl.edu | |
Secondary Contact: | Rin Nguyen | |
Secondary Contact Email: | knguyen21@huskers.unl.edu | |
Website: | https://cehs.unl.edu/secslab/ | |
Advisor College: | Education and Human Sciences | |
Advisor Department: | Educational Psychology | |
Potential Student Tasks: | Students will have the opportunity to learn and build foundational as well as advanced skills such as… • Conduct and write a literature review • Write APA in-text citations and references • Conduct semi-structured qualitative interview • Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data • Create and present research posters • Prepare a manuscript • Submit and revise paper for publication |
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Student Qualifications: | • Interested in mental health and wellbeing • Dedicated to promoting sexual health, sexual wellbeing, and reproductive justice • Passionate in supporting marginalized and underserved populations • Strong commitment to social justice and diversity • Students are not required, though helpful, to have any previous research experience or have completed any training certificates. Students will receive any necessary training(s) needed to complete a project during their time in the SECS lab. • Students from any major can apply, but students associated with Psychology, Women’s and Gender studies, and related disciplines are highly encouraged to apply. • Students who are interested in applying to graduate school are highly encouraged to apply. |
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Training, Mentoring, and Workplace Community: | Students will receive one-on-one mentorship during their time in the SECS lab. There are no hard and fast rules or expectations for the mentor-mentee relationship. However, the students will meet with their mentor at the start of their position to discuss their research interests and goals as well as define the mentorship relationship (e.g., hands-off, hands-on), communication expectations (e.g., text, email, Zoom, in-person, daily, weekly, monthly, as needed), scheduling (e.g., hours, courses, work) and other needs (e.g., feedback, inclusive working environment, personal needs) to ensure that they receive the level of support they need and have a positive experience working in the lab. Please note that the students will receive more hands-on mentorship and regular weekly check-ins when they first start in the lab, regardless of experience, to ensure a smooth transition. As the student advances, they will have the option to work more independently as well as decrease the duration or amount of check-ins. | |
Available Positions | 1 |
• Students working in the lab will receive a letter of recommendation upon request
• Students will also receive support and mentorship in applying to graduate school, if applicable