Practicum Opportunity

This project will examine the relationship between gender, stress (cortisol) response and social status (see
abstract below for more detail). Practicum participants will gain hands-on research experience. The main
duty of practicum participants will be to assist with behavioral coding of videotaped 30-minute, four-
person interactions. Each video is linked with a cortisol profile. Participants will be trained in using the
video-coding software as well as data collection and management. Practicum participants will also gain
experience in taking research concepts of interest and transforming them into concrete and measurable
variables. The experience gained will be valuable for students continuing on in academia as well as
students interested in seeking employment in industry or in the non-profit or government sectors. Also,
participants who wish to do so may have the opportunity to publish off the dataset we create during this
practicum. The position is a volunteer position.

Project Abstract

Research has linked negative health outcomes with being in a position of low status. One explanation is
that relatively low-status people are exposed to more stress. Higher levels of stress exposure, in turn, are
implicated in negative health outcomes. In this project we aim to gain a better understanding of the
pathways between threats to social status and stress response. We utilize a unique data set which links
biological stress response to status processes in small group interactions. We focus in particular on status
processes which are linked to cultural notions of gender and masculinity. A better understanding of the
relationship between status threats, stress exposure and health outcomes can contribute to the broader
project of improving public health research. In addition, our focus on gendered status processes has the
potential to help explain sex differences in health outcomes.

Location and Supervisor

The project is run in the Mailman School of Public Health by Cate Taylor, PhD and Robert Wood
Johnson Health and Society Scholar. Dr. Bruce Link and Dr. Jo Phelan are co-PIs on the project.

Practicum Participant Requirements

We will provide the necessary training to work as a member of the research team. Practicum participants
only need to exhibit an interest in learning about methods of data collection as well as an intellectual
curiosity about the research questions. Practicum participants should also be detail-oriented, reliable, self-
motivated and creative thinkers.

Time Frame

Late May or June through August or September 2011. Participants will work 15-25 hours per week.
Alternatively, practicum participants can work fewer hours per week if that works better for them. This
can be negotiated based on the on the needs of the participant to fulfill his or her practicum requirements
and the needs of the project. Participants may also choose to continue on as part of the research team after
the summer.

Contact and Application

Contact Cate Taylor at ct2505@columbia.edu. Please send a CV and a brief cover letter (in the form of an
email) explaining your interest in the project. Review of application materials will begin immediately and
will continue until the positions are filled.