Research
Research and community impact
At the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, research is an opportunity for you to explore meaningful questions, develop real-world skills and make a measurable impact. As part of Idaho’s only Carnegie R1 research university, our labs bring together faculty, students and community partners to study the issues that matter most across education, health, leadership and human development.
Across our 12 dedicated research lab spaces, students and faculty explore a wide range of research topics. These topics vary from adventure learning and experiential education to women’s health, sedentary behavior, sleep and overall well-being, and modern trends in sport/recreation management. Our facilities also include specialized environments such as a state-of-the-art Pilates studio used for both instruction and research. This variety allows students at every level to find research that aligns with their interests while contributing to meaningful discoveries that improve lives.
Research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students
We believe research should be accessible to all students. From your first year through doctoral study, you can take part in hands-on undergraduate and graduate research that builds critical thinking, collaboration and career-ready experience. Students work alongside faculty mentors on funded projects, applied research and community-based initiatives that address today’s most pressing challenges. Whether you’re exploring research for the first time or advancing your professional expertise, our labs provide pathways to:
- Join faculty-led research teams
- Earn course credit or assistantships
- Present at conferences and publish findings
- Apply research to internships, careers and advanced study
Research that connects campus and community
Our labs serve as hubs where students, educators, health professionals, industry partners and community members collaborate to investigate real-world questions. Many projects are designed with community participation in mind — from program evaluations and applied research to partnerships with schools, organizations and local agencies.
Community members can engage by:
- Partnering on research initiatives
- Participating in studies or pilot programs
- Collaborating on workforce, education or health projects
- Applying research findings to local needs
In addition, some labs offer community access to specialized testing equipment, such as DEXA scans and Bod Pod body composition testing, for a small fee. This allows individuals, teams and organizations to benefit from university-level assessment tools while supporting ongoing research and student learning. Details on equipment access, scheduling and fees are available on each lab’s individual page.
Powered by donor support
Many of our research labs are made possible through the generosity of donors and partners who believe in the power of research to create positive change. Their support helps fund equipment, student research opportunities and innovative projects that address community needs. As our programs grow, philanthropic investments ensure we can maintain modern technology, updated lab spaces and hands-on learning environments that keep our research relevant and impactful.
Donor support plays an essential role in helping us sustain and expand our work as Idaho’s only Carnegie R1 university, allowing us to remain at the forefront of discovery, train future leaders and deliver research that benefits communities across the state and beyond.
Creating impact through applied research
The work happening in our labs leads to practical solutions that improve classrooms, strengthen organizations, support healthier communities and inform policy and practice. By connecting undergraduate research, graduate research and community-engaged scholarship, we create opportunities for discovery that extend far beyond campus.
Our goal is simple: make research accessible, collaborative and impactful.
Explore each lab to learn more about current projects, research areas and how you can get involved.
What it means to be an R1 university
University of Idaho is classified as an R1: Doctoral University – Very High Research Activity, the highest research designation in the United States. This distinction reflects our commitment to rigorous scholarship, doctoral education and impactful discovery. For students, it means access to advanced facilities, faculty-led research teams and opportunities to engage in undergraduate and graduate research that contributes to real-world solutions. For communities across Idaho and beyond, it means research that informs policy, strengthens organizations and improves lives.
Donate today
Want to financially support our labs? Contact our Director of Development today.
Body composition and exercise testing
The Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory offers body composition and VO2max testing to community members and U of I faculty, staff, and students for a fee. Payments can be in cash, check, or credit/debit card. Discounts are available for groups. For more information and rates, call 208-885-2007 or email exphys@uidaho.edu.
BOD POD® Gold Standard: Uses whole body air plethysmography (i.e., air displacement) to accurately measure your fat and lean tissues in addition to estimating resting metabolic rate and total energy expenditure. The assessment takes approximately 10 minutes, and our staff will discuss the results with you following your assessment.
InBody BWA 2.0: Provides information on total body composition as well as segmental body composition to assess imbalances in muscle mass, fat mass, and intracellular/extracellular fluid distribution that can occur from injury, aging, obesity and other chronic health conditions. The assessment takes approximately 5 minutes, and our staff will discuss the results with you following your assessment.
VO2max: Measures your body’s ability to take in, transport, and use oxygen during exercise, making it one of the strongest indicators of cardiovascular fitness and endurance. Our VO₂ max testing provides precise, personalized insights to help you understand your current fitness level and guide training, performance, and long-term health goals. Our team works with you to determine the best modality (cycle ergometer vs. treadmill) and intensity for your assessment. The assessment takes approximately 30 minutes including warm-up and cool-down, and our staff will discuss the results with you following your test.