Summer Healthcare Academic Research Program (SHARP)
Curious About Research? Start Here!
Explore the SHARP and SHARP Novice Interpreting programs, 12-week paid summer research opportunities focused on topics such as health literacy, healthcare access, reproductive health, and access technologies.
Designed for Students and Recent Graduates
SHARP is open to all undergraduate students. SHARP Novice Interpreting Program is designed specifically for recent interpreting graduates.
SHARPen Your Skills and Knowledge
Through hands-on research at the Deaf Hub, students will gain valuable experience in an inclusive environment. With ASL as the primary language, everyone collaborates alongside Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing colleagues.
Earn Research or Co-op Credit
Integrate with your personal interests and major, offering a chance to engage with topics like health literacy, healthcare access, reproductive health, and access technologies, there's something for everyone! Immerse into the research world, and you can earn either research or co-op credit!
From diving into research to presenting their work, students will have the opportunity to participate in events like Zap, RIT Undergraduate Research Symposium, conferences, etc. Applications for summer 2026 will open in January 2026.
What Our Students Say
Emma Kane, Public Policy BS, Summer 2023
“I learned patience, how to look for ‘inaccessible/ hard to find’ information, and how to collaborate with others. It has been invaluable to my academic journey.”
Allison Hansen, Human-Centered Computing BS, Summer 2024
“My mentor helped me combine my interests in healthcare and feel confident in my project. My peers are passionate about their work, and mentors are very supportive.”
Adedotun Adeyemi, Psychology BS, Summer 2023
“I had little professional experience before, but I gained networking skills and learned that effective teamwork relies on strong communication.”
SHARP Novice Interpreting Program
The program is designed for recent graduates or interpreters who have entered the field professionally within the past five years. Novice interpreters will work in ASL-rich environments, interpreting and observing research activities. See full job description here.
This in-person summer program offers opportunities including
- Supervised interpreting
- Guided observations
- Professional skill development
- Mentorship
- Networking
Novice interpreters will interpret and observe small and large group meetings, presentations, research conferences, and other Deaf Hub activities. Novice interpreters will also be expected to work with Deaf Hub research activities, or support independent studies.
Former Novice Interpreters' Experiences
ONe O’Neill, Summer 2024
The Deaf Hub is its people…Now I feel more comfortable and confident in myself too, thanks to the environment and the people here.
Faith Trotter, Summer 2024
Especially for recently graduated interpreters, it can be scary to immediately go into a professional role…Being new in the field, I think it’s a great space to continue learning and developing your skills while still having a mentor observing your work.
Contact Us
Have questions or want to learn more about the SHARP programs? Email deafhub@rit.edu.
