Scoping review: Learning about disability through media

The purpose of the scoping review is to better understand how audiovisual media can be leveraged to teach students about disability and neurodiversity.

Students working on this project will have the opportunity to participate in several stages of this scoping review, including title/abstract screening, full text screening and data extraction. Students who significantly contribute to the project over the course of next year (Fall and Spring) would have opportunity for authorship on conference presentations and publications. 

Research assistants must be able to participate in a weekly lab meeting Thursday at 9am and dedicate at least 3-9 hours per week (for 1-3 credits). At least two of these hours per week are expected be in person in our research space (Bartlett) on a fixed schedule. 

In your application, we are particularly interested in learning what motivates you to work on this project. Students with lived experience with disability as well as those who speak other languages are particularly encouraged to apply.

Name of research group, project, or lab
Disability, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DICE)
Why participate in this opportunity?

We have an interdisciplinary research lab with a mix of undergraduate and graduate students with and without disabilities. 

In the spring semester, there may be opportunity to contribute to data collection/analysis on other projects. 

Logistics Information:
Field(s) of Study
Afro-American Studies
Anthropology
Communication
Education
Psychology
Social Thought & Political Economy
Sociology
Student ranks applicable
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications

We are open to students from a range of backgrounds, but experience reading empirical articles would be an asset. 

Time commitment
1-4 h/wk
5-7 h/wk
8-10 h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Credit for Research and Teaching
Paid - Work-Study Required
Number of openings
5
Techniques learned

Methodology of scoping reviews

Project start
Fall 2026 (work-study students could start over the summer)
Contact Information:
Mentor
awoodman@umass.edu
Director, Developmental Disabilities and Human Services Program
Name of project director or principal investigator
Ashley Woodman
Email address of project director or principal investigator
awoodman@umass.edu
5 sp. | 0 appl.
Time commitment
1-4 h/wk (+2)
1-4 h/wk5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Field(s) of Study
Social Thought & Political Economy (+6)
Afro-American StudiesAnthropologyCommunicationEducationPsychologySocial Thought & Political EconomySociology