By Danielle Wilburn, Assistant Editor of The Iron Blade
Ferrum, VA, January 26, 2026 — Students at Ferrum College in Psychology 307, Advanced Research and Statistics, taught by Assistant Professor of Psychology Abigail Jamison, are using research to ask meaningful questions about the world they live in, with hopes of creating a better future.
Research topics range from the effects of pre-game rituals on pre-competition anxiety, placebo effects in game play, and stress levels between athletes and non-athletes, to issues such as attachment theory, childhood trauma, psychological behavior, and the long-term effects of gentle parenting.
“My study looks at the different roles governments play regarding children who are caught in war zones,” explained Amber Greiner, junior.
Grenier said it is not a very well-known topic.
“There are millions of children stuck in these war zones with little to no access to resources, and then there are governments who want to argue about whose problem they are,” she said. “This is something I am very passionate about, and I plan to do humanitarian aid in the future. This research helps bring attention to that reality.”
Other students in the course are approaching their research with a focus on resilience, mental health, and creating positive change.
“My research question asks about how job stress and heavy workloads relate to burnout and anxiety,” said Jasmyn Layton, junior. “I noticed that many of the presentations that came before mine were very negative, and I wanted to contribute something more positive to the conversation.”
She also said the world out there is tough, and there aren’t enough social workers as it is.
“I’ve seen things first-hand within my own family that helped me understand the struggle,” Layton said. “I’d like to carry what I learn into my own social work practice in the future.”
This spring, many of these students will have the opportunity to present their work at the 32nd Annual Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference (BRURC), hosted by Ferrum College on April 3.
The conference brings together undergraduate researchers from across the Southern Appalachian region, giving students the chance to share their work through presentations and poster sessions while gaining valuable experience beyond the classroom.
“I’m excited to help bring this kind of event to our college,” said Jamison. “We have rented out every building so presenters can be sorted into their respective categories and present across campus. This will be such a cool opportunity to get some real-world presenting experience, and I hope to see as many students participating as possible.”
Altogether, the work coming out of PSY-307 shows how undergraduate research can open minds, deepen understanding, and turn all that is learned within the classroom into real-world impact.
In the photograph by junior Danielle Wilburn, Jasmyn Layton, also a junior, presents her research on stress, burnout, and anxiety to the class.
