Receiving the Early Research Award was “a true game changer” for Zaina Alkurdi.
Zaina Alkurdi (she/her), a third year psychology honours student, received the Early Research Award (ERA) through the department of psychology’s Psychology Inclusive Excellence (PIE) Fund. The award gave her the opportunity to focus on her research, develop her skills, and cover her expenses simultaneously.
As a Syrian refugee, Zaina witnessed marginalized communities struggle to access support. Building on her experience as a refugee, Zaina is collaborating with Dr. Benjamin Cheung on a cultural psychology project that explores how play impacts social connectedness among refugee children.
“Students from diverse backgrounds bring valuable insights and experiences that can enhance the quality and relevance of research, but without access to these opportunities, we risk overlooking valuable contributions. ”
Established by psychology faculty, the PIE Fund provides financial support to undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds who face obstacles to working in a research lab. The ERA supports early research training for undergraduate student researchers.
With ERA funding, Zaina obtained a paid Research Assistant position in Dr. Noah Silverberg’s Coping with Neurological Symptoms Lab in Summer 2024. Now Zaina is continuing her research career with Dr. Luke Clark at the Centre for Gambling Research at UBC.
In a Q&A, Zaina shares how the PIE fund impacted her research and how these research awards ensure everyone has equitable access to resources.
How has the receiving the Early Research Award impacted or advanced your research career?
The award had an immediate impact on my research journey. It gave me the time and resources to lead my own project over the summer, which really prepared me for the honours program. I also had the opportunity to submit an abstract for my first conference poster, possibly leading to a poster presentation in Montreal—which was a big milestone. Beyond that, the award gave me valuable experiences I’ve been able to use in interviews for both honours and other positions.
“The award had an immediate impact on my research journey. It gave me the time and resources to lead my own project over the summer, which really prepared me for the honours program.”
How do these awards like the Psychology Inclusive Excellence Fund help increase diversity and inclusion in the field of psychology?
These awards are essential in creating opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. As a Syrian refugee who lived in Germany before coming to Canada, I’ve seen how marginalized communities can struggle to access support. Many talented individuals miss out on opportunities because they don’t have the time to volunteer, the right connections, or even knowledge of funding options. Financial support like this fund helps students build skills and gain experience that might otherwise be out of reach. Students from diverse backgrounds bring valuable insights and experiences that can enhance the quality and relevance of research, but without access to these opportunities, we risk overlooking valuable contributions. These awards empower students from diverse backgrounds to engage more fully in research, which ultimately makes the field more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all communities.
What are your research interests and what led you to pursue this research?
My research interests are quite broad right now, and I’m having fun using my undergraduate years to explore different areas and figure out what I want my career to look like. I started with my project on Functional Cognitive Disorder in the Coping with Neurological Symptoms Lab, which I initially joined through PSYC 240 in September 2022. I became interested in helping vulnerable populations suffering from functional disorders and advancing this underexplored area in the field. I also found an interest in addictions, which led me to the Centre for Gambling Research. My honours thesis now studies how outcome sequences in slot machines create the illusion of control, linking cognitive biases to gambling behaviors. Finally, I wanted to explore how my experiences as a Syrian refugee can help others, which is why I’m working with Dr. Benjamin Cheung on a project focused on how play impacts social connectedness among refugee children. While my interests are still evolving, you will find a theme of supporting vulnerable populations throughout my involvements, which I really value.
What challenges might students from diverse backgrounds face while applying for research positions?
I feel very passionately about the disadvantages that students from diverse backgrounds often encounter. Many research positions at UBC are volunteer-based, which can create significant barriers for those of us who need to balance jobs and full course loads. Personally, I wouldn’t have been able to take on unpaid positions due to needing to cover my expenses and taking a full course load to graduate on time. Taking PSYC 240 was instrumental for me, as it allowed me to earn credits while gaining research experience. Additionally, receiving the Early Research Award was a true game changer as it enabled me to focus on my research, develop my skills, and cover my expenses simultaneously.
“Without these kinds of opportunities, it becomes much harder to secure positions in labs, the honours program, or even graduate school. Something as simple as being able to volunteer in a research lab during your undergrad can have a big impact on future career opportunities.”
Without these kinds of opportunities, it becomes much harder to secure positions in labs, the honours program, or even graduate school. Something as simple as being able to volunteer in a research lab during your undergrad can have a big impact on future career opportunities. This doesn’t just affect individual students but it also limits the diversity of perspectives that are essential for advancing the field of psychology. Cultural barriers also make it challenging for students to navigate a predominantly Western academic environment, often leading to feelings of alienation or imposter syndrome. Many students don’t have the same access to research networks, funding opportunities, or resources as their peers. Those from underrepresented communities might also lack family or community support systems that understand how to navigate academia, making the process even more difficult. Increasing representation in faculty hiring and scholarship or research position awards is essential. Seeing people with similar backgrounds and experiences in these roles can inspire and empower students to pursue their goals.
“Many students don’t have the same access to research networks, funding opportunities, or resources as their peers. Those from underrepresented communities might also lack family or community support systems that understand how to navigate academia, making the process even more difficult.”
How can we ensure that everyone has equitable access to the same resources, training and mentorship opportunities in a research environment?
To ensure equitable access, we need more programs like PSYC 240 that allow students to earn academic credits for research participation. Increasing diversity among faculty and research teams is also essential because seeing role models with similar experiences can inspire students and help them feel like they belong. It’s important to make funding opportunities more visible and ensure that awards are not based solely on prior experience, cultural experiences and perspectives can bring just as much value to research teams. Labs should also be more flexible with their requirements, for example, by reducing the need for 8–10+ volunteer hours per week so students can contribute when they’re able regardless of their socioeconomic situation. These changes would help create a more inclusive research environment where all students, regardless of background, can access the resources and support they need to grow and succeed. Expanding programs like the Diversity Mentorship Program would further help mitigate these challenges as well. With these changes, all students, regardless of background, can start to access the resources and support they need to grow and succeed.
