The Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness Summer Internship Program is a paid opportunity that offers training and support to a future generation of scholars interested in studying (1) the linkages between mental, social, and community well-being and physical health outcomes, and (2) the translation of science related to these linkages to inform policy and practice.
Examples of 2023 Projects:
- Positive psychological interventions for health behavior adherence
- Mind-body exercise interventions promoting cardiovascular health
- The relationships between problematic smartphone use, upward social media comparison, self-esteem, and hedonic well-being
Students will be placed with Center researchers and/or Science Affiliates working on projects related to the Center’s mission.
Internship Dates: June 10th – August 16th, 2024
Duration of Internship: 20 hours per week for 10 weeks
Note: Once selected, interns can work with their internship host and the Center to extend the internship beyond August 2024, but the work is not to exceed 20 hours/week for 10 weeks in total.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at an American college or university at the time of application and in the fall of the year of the internship. The internship is open to both Harvard and non-Harvard students pursuing undergraduate (rising seniors only), masters, and doctoral level degrees in relevant fields of public health.
- Applicants must be interested in doing research work related to the Center’s mission: to build a rigorous and interdisciplinary science of positive health, happiness, and well-being with a focus on health equity, and to translate the science to influence practice and policy.
- International students must have valid CPT/OPT authorization to start the in-person paid internship in June 2024. Additionally, the interns must have an SSN or must have already applied for one.
- Prior research experience is helpful, but not required.
Internship Placements:
Working with Center Affiliate Scientists, the Center has identified intern host sites that align with the Center’s mission. The Center will match successful applicants with the most appropriate internship sites, ensuring that the needs and interests of both the Affiliate Scientist and the intern are met through the placement. Interns will serve in a research assistant capacity, working with Center scholars or affiliates to collect and/or analyze data. Other possible activities might include providing support with literature reviews, grant writing, and/or the development of repositories of information. We will pair interns with host sites based on their skill set and research interests.
Logistics and Mentorship:
The Center will provide mentorship and guidance to interns via weekly meetings and other events over the summer. Ideally, this mentorship will provide interns with a sense of community, opportunities for connecting and networking, and professional development.
Internships will take place over 10 weeks (20 hrs/week) from June-August, 2024. Interns will receive payment, but not college credit, for their work. The internship will take place in person, so interns will need to relocate/live in Boston for the duration of the internship program. Harvard will not subsidize costs related to relocation or accommodation.
Reporting Requirements:
Interns are required to submit a brief report (2 pages max) at the conclusion of their internship. Guidelines for the report will be distributed after interns are selected and placed.
Application Requirements:
Applications are currently closed.
- The application includes:
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic transcript
- Statement of research/academic experience (200-word limit)
- Statement of interest (250-word limit)
- Letter of recommendation from mentor/advisor (2 pages max). Your mentor/advisor should email this letter separate from the application to centerhealthhappiness@hsph.harvard.edu
Do you have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Past Interns