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PLACE Lab Research Collective
Join immigrant & first-generation youth from across Boston in groundbreaking educational and health research.
What is PLACE Lab?
The Partnership for Learning, Agency, and Community Equity (PLACE) Lab is The Stateless Collective's collaborative research center focused on bringing together young folks from all backgrounds and educational experiences to be at the forefront of health and educational research.
We believe the larger infrastructure of education owes young people a better quality of life. This Lab serves as a powerful mechanism to embed youth voice in the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational and health-related research.
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No Experience Required
"Learn & Earn" Stipend
Research Publication
Data Walk 2025
Hosted at Innovate@BU IDG Capital Center, students shared their research and recieved community feedback in hopes to begin a conversation about immigrant and first-generation youth in the Boston-area.
Summer Research Fellows Program
A comprehensive 6-week hybrid program where you'll work alongside university students and researchers to produce impactful research about student experiences in the Boston area.
This program is only possible with the support of the Immigrant Youth Advancement Program through the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement, who financially support this program and create community between young folks and immigrant-serving organizations
Why Should You Apply?
PLACE Lab is more than just a summer opportunity. It’s a space where immigrant students can lead, question, and shape the systems that affect their communities. Here's what makes this program unique:
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You’ll gain hands-on experience in research — from idea generation to data collection and analysis — working alongside university researchers.
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You’ll strengthen your resume with meaningful internship experience, official research certifications, and the chance to co-author published work.
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You’ll join a supportive community of students, faculty, and mentors who value your background and lived experience.
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You’ll receive a stipend that honors your time and commitment, no bank account or Social Security number required.
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You’ll help build a more equitable future by embedding student voice in academic and social research.
You don’t need prior experience to be a researcher. If you’re curious, reflective, and want to make a difference, this opportunity is for you.
How To Apply
Ready to join the next cohort of Research Fellows? Follow these simple steps to submit your application.
1
Complete the IDEA Application
Fill out our IDEA application form and in the financial aid section, write "PLACE Fellow" to indicate your interest in this specific program.
2
Write Your Positionality Statement
Submit 1-2 pages answering questions about your background, communities you identify with, and what matters to you. This helps us understand your perspective—there's no wrong answer!
3
Complete Your Registration
Applicants will receive an email detailing registration steps. Registration is due by July 7th and assessed on a rolling basis, so earlier submissions are encouraged.
Application Questions
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Tell us about your background and who you are as a person
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What communities/culture do you identify with?
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What matters to you and why?
These questions help us understand your unique perspective and motivation for research.
Question & Answers
What is a researcher?
A researcher is someone who asks big questions about how the world works—and then works to find answers. That could mean studying things like science, history, people, technology, or even video games! Researchers don’t just Google something once and call it a day—they test ideas, collect data, read what others have discovered, and make new discoveries of their own.
Whether they work in labs, libraries, hospitals, cities, or schools, researchers are curious people who love learning and want to share their findings to help others understand more, too.
Why Should I Be Involved in Research?
Young people are often left out of the conversation when it comes to research, whether it be due to time, structural barriers, or the ability for teams to work cohesively with young people. Being a co-researcher allows you to shape the future of research as more than a participant.
How do I get paid my stipend?
Students will receive a debt card from Mocafi through the program coordinators. This card does not require a bank account or a SSN to access, and will be auto-loaded with the student's stipend funds each week.
In order to determine the amount of funds a student receives each week, they will need to report the number of engagement hours they experienced within the timeframe. Coordinators will assist with this process each step of the way!
Where is this program located?
This is a hybrid program on Boston University's Campus as well as online meetings. Students will also be in the field collecting data around the city.