How volunteer participation supports the University of Iowa’s mission, and how to opt out

Updated August 19, 2025

At any given moment, more than 4,400 active research projects are taking place on the University of Iowa campus. To conduct this important research, UI faculty and graduate students need participants for their projects, and they regularly use emails to recruit volunteers. At the same time, many faculty, staff, and students say they receive too many emails, which can be time-consuming to sift through.

This article explains why research studies are important to the university, and shares information about how you can opt out of receiving recruitment emails.

Importance of research

From the biomedical research labs on the west side of the river, to the flight test laboratory at the Iowa City airport, to the cutting-edge research on behavior and cognition in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Hawkeyes in nearly every corner of our campus are exploring complex questions that seek to help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

Last year alone, UI researchers and scholars secured $533.7 million to advance research and discovery, supporting the institution’s status as on the of country’s foremost public research institutions. This competitive funding supports jobs, fuels economic growth, and propels discovery.

“Our faculty, students, and staff conduct remarkable research that saves and improves lives in Iowa and beyond,” says David Schwebel, vice president for research. “We hope you might consider volunteering for studies yourself, or forward to people in your local network who are eligible for the studies, so we can gain knowledge and work together to build healthier, happier, and more resilient communities.”

The UI’s expansive research portfolio also provides students with opportunities to get involved in dynamic educational experiences. One in three Iowa undergraduates and nearly all graduate students join a faculty-mentored research project. This helps them develop practical skills that set them apart in the job market, in addition to having the opportunity to explore some of life’s pressing questions in an applied setting outside of the classroom.

Making an impact

For many volunteers, research participation is an opportunity to contribute to an area of research that they care about due to a personal experience or that of a loved one. In some cases, volunteers obtain new information about themselves and their health, and/or access new drugs and therapies. Compensation is often provided. To learn more about how to get involved, visit the Office of the Vice President’s website. 

“Without the participation of volunteers, research could not take place,” says Michele Countryman, director of the Human Subjects Office. “Research participation offers the unique opportunity to get engaged in science from the vantage point of a non-scientist, while contributing to the scientific community’s quest for new knowledge.” 

The University of Iowa is strongly committed to protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of everyone who volunteers to be in a study. Federal law and University of Iowa policy provide protections and oversight of the rights of human subjects. Learn more on the Human Subjects Office’s website.  

Opt out of emails

Faculty, staff, and students at Iowa receive regular emails from research teams seeking participation in their studies. These emails seek to build on the strong connections of the Hawkeye community to identify research participants who are eligible.

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, unsubscribe by removing the checkbox next to Research Recruitment in your mass mail preferences.