Research and Innovation Lab

Mission

The Research and Innovation Lab (RAIL) at Loyola University Chicago’s (LUC) School of Social Work (SSW) is being developed for student-led social work research and inquiry in the SSW. This lab will be dedicated to cultivating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that helps students to develop research skills rooted in equity, justice, and community engagement. Grounded in LUC’s Jesuit values, the lab fosters a space where students can critically explore pressing social and economic issues, generate meaningful knowledge, and advance evidence-based practice through collaborative inquiry with other students and under the mentorship of lab directors, Dr. Abha Rai and Dr. Nathan Perkins.

Overview and Structure

RAIL will serve as a structured space where students, both undergraduate and graduate (BSW & MSW) can gain hands-on research experience under faculty mentorship. The lab will support students in independently developing research questions, conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, preparing manuscripts for publication, and presenting at local, national, and international conferences. The lab will also facilitate collaborations with community-based organizations when necessary to ground research in real-world social work settings and spaces. After demonstrating solid knowledge and skills regarding research, trained doctoral students who have interest in mentoring BSW and MSW will be invited to provide BSW/MSW student support and develop their own mentorship skills. During the pilot phase over the next academic year, the RAIL at SSW will be structured as follows:

1. Targeted enrollment: An open call will be announced for BSW and MSW students interested in pursuing independent research or developing specific research skills. A limited number of students will be selected through a competitive application process.
2. Mentorship and learning: Selected students will participate in weekly meetings led by Drs. Rai and Perkins, with individualized learning plans tailored to their goals. Each faculty member anticipates dedicating approximately 10 hours per week, though this may vary based on student engagement. Eventually, additional faculty may be invited to consult based on the project's scope and their availability/interest.
3. Research outputs: Each student project will aim to result in either a manuscript or presentation, depending on its scope and timeline over one or two academic years or to be completed a year after graduation. Students will have the opportunity to present their work via an existing LUC student poster session (e.g., via CELT, LUROP) or the LUC/SSW research poster session (in development) which will be open to all students, staff, and faculty.

Significance and Pilot Launch

RAIL at the SSW responds to a clear gap: students at the SSW have limited opportunities to engage in applied research, with only one required research course (SOWK 506) offered at the BSW and MSW levels. Many students have expressed a strong interest in working with faculty to advance their research skills and deepen their academic engagement. Strengthening research skills enables students to collaborate with faculty across all phases of the research process—including study design, data collection, implementation, dissemination, publication, and conference presentations. These experiences also support students in developing independent research ideas and graduating with specialized skills that enhance their resumes and competitiveness in the job market.