Research
Be at the center of extraordinary breakthroughs.
Uncovering the story of America’s first settlement. Analyzing cybersecurity’s role in national security. Working throughout the Gulf of Mexico to mitigate one of the worst oil spills in our country’s history. These are a few of the many research opportunities unique to the University of West Florida.
At UWF, research is our way of putting our mind, power and resources to work for the region. Here, scholars, students, business leaders, community members and government experts collaborate on real-world problems. We believe big ideas can become even bigger solutions to local, regional, state and global issues.
Push through limits with us so that we can all move into a brighter future together.
UWF earns high research activity designation from Carnegie Foundation
The University of West Florida was designated a Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This is the first time the University has received this reputable classification.
“This recognition highlights the outstanding contributions of our faculty, demonstrating that those engaged in research activities are not only committed but also highly productive in advancing knowledge and innovation,” said Dr. Jaromy Kuhl, UWF provost. “This also demonstrates that our University is excelling not only in enrollment and metrics but also in research.”
As an undergraduate at UWF, you will conduct research reserved for grad students at other universities. Our Explorers Program pairs you with research faculty according to your interests.
We provide dozens of project awards each year to fund your research. We grant 150+ travel awards per year to present that research at national conferences. You can even get paid to conduct research with our Federal Work-Study research assistantships.
Explore Undergraduate Research
UWF graduate programs host a vibrant community of faculty and student scholars from a variety of disciplines who are dedicated to innovative and substantive research.
As a UWF graduate student, you will work closely with our distinguished faculty to conduct substantive research and expand the body of knowledge in your field. In some master’s degree programs, graduate studies and research will culminate in a thesis. In the doctoral degree programs, your graduate studies and research will culminate in a dissertation.
The annual Student Scholar Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase features scholarly and creative works produced through collaboration between UWF students and faculty.
The symposium provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to present their work with the campus community.
Student Scholar Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase
Four UWF faculty members ranked among world’s Top 2% of Scientists
Four University of West Florida researchers earned a place on Stanford/Elsevier's Top 2% Scientist Rankings lists in 2024 and 2023. The prestigious list identifies the world's leading researchers, representing approximately 2% of all scientists worldwide.
Dr. Jim Spain, research professor in the Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation, Dr. Frank Gilliam, professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Dr. Amitabh Mishra, associate professor in the Department of Cybersecurity and Information Technology, are on the “career-long” list through 2024. Gilliam, Spain and Dr. Allysha Winburn, an associate professor of anthropology landed on the 2023 list released earlier this fall.
In classwork, there are usually just a few set ways to do things. In the lab, when you are presented with a problem, you are not given any steps or sets of directions. It brings creativity into the normally rigid scientific process.
It never crossed my mind that I could travel to the Antarctic and look at interactions among organisms in an extreme environment. I’ve spent a lot of time working with samples from the previous trip, and now I’ll be on the other side—gathering samples, studying growth rates and analyzing what we collect.
Research News
UWF secures $1.5M U.S. DOE grant to expand civic education opportunities
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a three-year, $1,555,318 million grant to the University of West Florida to expand the UWF Summer Institute for Civics Educators into the Academy of American Civic Republicanism. The new Academy will provide year-round opportunities to strengthen civic education for K-12 teachers, UWF students and the Northwest Florida community.
UWF Haas Center awarded $400K NSF EPIIC Grant
The University of West Florida’s Haas Center has been awarded a $400,000 Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity, or EPIIC, grant from the National Science Foundation. The three-year grant will support the creation of a new Office of Industrial Innovation, which will serve as a front door to connect UWF faculty experts with regional industry needs, making it easier for businesses to access the University’s research capabilities and talent.
UWF chemistry professor awarded grants to advance energy storage research and workforce training
The University of West Florida has been awarded two grants totaling nearly $90,000 to advance energy storage research and strengthen workforce development in Northwest Florida. Dr. Jacob Tracy, assistant professor in the UWF Department of Chemistry, received a $69,600 grant from the National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry and a $20,000 grant from the NextEra Energy Foundation Northwest Florida Community Grants Program, the charitable arm of Florida Power & Light Company. Together, these awards will expand research capacity, create hands-on training opportunities for undergraduate students and high school teachers, and prepare a local workforce of highly trained energy storage chemists and engineers to meet local and state energy needs.