Tips for starting up a research lab within the social sciences

When most people hear the term “research lab,” their minds often jump to natural sciences – envisioning spaces filled with test tubes, microscopes and scientific experiments. However, labs in the social sciences also have the potential to foster collaboration, mentorship and impactful community partnerships in a way that is often overlooked. As an early career scholar, creating a research lab can provide opportunities for growth, both for yourself and for your students, while reshaping how research is conducted and shared.

In this article, I share some insights from founding and leading the Disability and Sexuality Lab – an initiative that tackles silences around this intersection. I highlight the benefits of this model and offer tips for those considering starting their own research labs within the social sciences.

Why create a lab as an early career scholar?

1. Mentorship opportunities

One of the most rewarding aspects of running a research lab is the chance to mentor multiple students at once, creating a dynamic environment where students learn from each other as much as they do from you. In a traditional mentor-mentee relationship, the scope of learning can be somewhat limited to individual projects or office hours. However, in a lab students collaborate on projects, exchange ideas and develop problem-solving skills as a collective.

At the Disability and Sexuality Lab, students work together on a range of projects, from analyzing data to co-producing accessible knowledge products, such as infographics and research summaries. This team-based approach encourages peer learning and helps students develop confidence in their abilities, often pushing them to pursue independent research or leadership roles within the lab.

2. Building community

Creating a lab allows you to build a community of scholars who share a common vision. My lab’s mission is to promote social change by co-creating research and resources with communities to address silences around disability and sexuality. This common purpose unites students, researchers and community partners alike. A lab fosters not just collaboration, but a shared sense of responsibility and collective investment in the outcomes of the research.

Additionally, this community-building extends beyond the academic space. In the social sciences, community partnerships are crucial to conducting research that is meaningful and relevant. By setting up a lab, you open up opportunities to work closely with community-based organizations. For instance, my lab collaborates with various organizations on projects related to disability and sexuality, co-producing research and accessible materials. The lab then serves as a virtual space to host these resources, which are free of cost for anyone in the community.

3. Professional development

For early career scholars, a research lab offers an invaluable platform to develop skills in managing projects, overseeing teams and building networks. Running a lab allows you to practice leadership, manage resources, and navigate the complexities of working with various stakeholders, from students and collaborators to community partners and funding bodies. The experience of running a lab enhances your professional profile, preparing you for future leadership roles within academia.

Tips for early career scholars on creating a lab

1. Start small

Begin with a clear mission and focus. For example, the Disability and Sexuality Lab started with a simple goal: to tackle silences around disability and sexuality. Starting small allows you to focus on specific, manageable projects while gradually expanding your research agenda and team over time.

2. Engage students early

Bring students into the lab not just as research assistants, but as collaborators. In my lab, students take on leadership roles, develop their own research projects and play an active role in co-producing knowledge. This kind of engagement builds their confidence and helps them grow as independent scholars.

3. Partner with the community

Don’t be afraid to reach out to community organizations and stakeholders in your area of research. These partnerships can provide valuable insights and help ground your work in lived experience. Additionally, community partners often help with disseminating research findings, ensuring that your work reaches those who can benefit from it the most.

4. Shape the lab’s identity together

Spend time with colleagues, students and community partners to shape who you want to be as a lab. What makes your lab unique? What values do you hold? What is your mission? Co-create the lab’s identity as a team – this could even include designing a lab logo together. For example, in the Disability and Sexuality Lab, our mission of co-producing accessible and inclusive knowledge mobilization products was shaped through these conversations with students and community members. This process not only strengthens your lab’s identity but fosters a sense of ownership among the team.

5. Create a website for your lab

A website can be a powerful tool for highlighting your lab’s mission, team members and accomplishments. More importantly, it can serve as a hub for sharing resources with the community, especially when it comes to knowledge mobilization. In the Disability and Sexuality Lab, our website offers a range of free materials, such as infographics, research summaries and other knowledge products, making our work accessible to a broader audience.

6. Promote open and accessible research

In today’s academic landscape, there is an increasing focus on making research accessible to broader audiences. Make sure your lab’s outputs – whether research papers, summaries or infographics – are available in accessible formats and shared openly. This not only amplifies the impact of your work but also promotes the values of inclusivity and intersectionality.

Expanding the scope of research labs

For early career scholars, a lab is not just a place for conducting research – it’s a space for building community, developing future leaders and creating a lasting impact. By reimagining the research lab as a space for social sciences, we can open up new possibilities for mentorship, collaboration and societal transformation.

Alan Santinele Martino is an assistant professor at the Cumming School of Medicine, within the department of community health sciences at the University of Calgary.