Western Washington University is a hub of intellectual curiosity and creative exploration, where ideas are nurtured and transformed into sustainable solutions.
With a strong commitment to pushing boundaries and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, WWU stands at the forefront of cutting-edge research across various fields. Our distinguished faculty and motivated students engage in a wide spectrum of projects, from sustainable technologies and environmental studies to healthcare advancements and social sciences.
Join us in our journey of discovery, where innovation knows no bounds and the pursuit of knowledge knows no limits.
Current WWU Research News
Want a glimpse into the groundbreaking research at Western? Check out Window, Western Washington University's magazine packed with in-depth stories and breathtaking visuals.
Student Research
Undergraduate Research
Western’s focus on undergraduate research means students don't have to wait until they're a graduate student to work directly with professors to get involved, solve real-world problems, and present and publish their work.
Graduate Student Research
Build supportive relationships with accomplished mentors who care as much about your future as you do. Conduct research at a leading university where collaboration is valued over competition. Join an inclusive community of scholars and professionals seeking to make a difference.
Scholars Week
Scholars Week is an annual week-long celebration of outstanding student research and creative works. Students present Poster Sessions, Three-minute Thesis (3MT®) presentations, MFA/MA Creative Writing Presentations, and Faculty/Student Group Collaborations, a presentation category featuring research, creative work, or other academic projects resulting from collaborative participation between students and their instructors.
Faculty Research
Featured Faculty Research
A New Life for Ocean Plastics
Associate professor of Polymer Materials Engineering John Misasi and a dedicated crew of his students at Western are part of a growing chorus that is working to prove that ocean plastics aren’t just landfill material.
Taylor's Earthquake Era
WWU Associate Geology Professor, Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, research went global when she found that Taylor Swift's Seattle concerts caused 2.3 magnitude seismic activity at Lumen Field.
Research and Sponsored Programs
The office of the Vice Provost for Research supports Western's research, scholarly, and creative communities by providing access to exclusive funding opportunities, expert guidance for securing external grants, and comprehensive resources for proposal development, post-award management and research integrity. Whether you're exploring groundbreaking ideas, pushing creative boundaries, or conducting impactful research, VPR provides the tools you need to thrive. Join a dynamic community of innovative students dedicated to making a difference.
Recent Grants Awarded
Tra Huynh, Principal Investigator (PI)
$42k
Project: Using Learning Assistants to Make Physics Teaching More Effective, Equitable, and Engaging
Robert Berger, Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar
$75k
Project: Moving Beyond Perovskites for Solar Energy Conversion Applications
Emily Borda (PI) Donald Burgess & Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez (CO-PI)
$554k
Project: Collaborative Research: Racial Equity in STEM Starts with Teacher Education
Amanda Murphy (PI) David Patrick & Steven Emory (Co-PI)
$400k
Project: EPIIC: Strategic University Practices to Expand Research (SUPER) Partnership
WWU Research Centers and Institutes
Western is home to a wide range of interdisciplinary research centers and institutes, creating a vibrant and creative atmosphere promoting collaboration and trans-disciplinary approaches.
- Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program
- Border Policy Research Institute
- Institute for Energy Studies
- Institute of Environmental Toxicology
- Institute for Watershed Studies
- Kaiser Borsari Hall
- Salish Sea Institute
- Shannon Point Marine Center
- Small Business Development Center
- University Instrument Center
- Mars Lab: Planetary Science Research
See For Yourself
Want a closer look at Western?
Immerse yourself in the exciting events and stunning, tree-lined beauty of campus on a visit day, campus tour, or through our virtual tour options