UROP Project
Children's Engagement in Domestic Violence Research: A Scoping Review
Domestic violence, children and adolescents, child welfare, social work, research ethics, vulnerable populations, trauma, qualitative research, quantitative research, scoping review, methodology, safeguarding, informed consent
Research Mentor: Oluwaseun Jegede, She/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW), Florida State University, College of Social Work, Social Work
Contact Email: ojegede@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW), Florida State University, College of Social Work, Social Work
Contact Email: ojegede@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Students with backgrounds in Public Health, Social Work, Law, Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Human Development and Family Science, or related fields are especially encouraged to apply.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors.
Students with backgrounds in Public Health, Social Work, Law, Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Human Development and Family Science, or related fields are especially encouraged to apply.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Wednesday, September 2
Start Time: 1:30
End Time: 5:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97778651131 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 12:00
End Time: 5:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97778651131 - Day: Monday, August 31
Start Time: 12:30
End Time: 4:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97778651131
Project Description
This project is a rigorous scoping review that examines how children are engaged as participants in domestic violence research. The study focuses on empirical work conducted in the United States and systematically analyzes how researchers recruit, consent, and safeguard children within studies on domestic violence. Particular attention is given to ethical procedures, including assent and consent processes, protections for children’s emotional well-being, and the ways researchers manage risk before, during, and after participation. The project is conducted in collaboration with FSU university librarians and a faculty supervisor, and it follows a structured, transparent review process to identify patterns, gaps, and best practices in the field.Students who join this project will gain meaningful exposure to the foundations of research. They will learn how to search and identify high-quality academic studies, critically read and evaluate empirical work, and understand the ethical and methodological decisions that shape research involving vulnerable populations. This experience is especially valuable for students considering graduate school or careers in research, public health, social work, law, or related fields. Students will develop confidence in engaging with scholarly literature, contribute to a real and ongoing research project, and build skills that extend beyond the classroom into professional and academic pathways.
Research Tasks: Conduct structured literature searches in collaboration with librarians
Screen and select relevant empirical articles based on study criteria
Read and extract key information from selected studies
Support data organization and management (e.g., coding tables, tracking decisions)
Contribute to identifying patterns in research methods and ethical practices
Participate in team discussions on study selection and interpretation
Assist with summarizing findings and drafting sections of the review
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong attention to detail
Basic computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, or similar tools)
Ability to read and engage with academic articles
Organization and time management skills
Willingness to learn and ask questions
Clear communication skills
Interest in research, domestic violence, or child welfare (recommended, not required)
Mentoring Philosophy
I center my mentoring on identifying mentees’ goals, strengthening their existing capacities, and fostering ownership of their work. I begin by understanding each mentee’s interests, motivations, and long-term goals. This process allows us to co-develop a structured and meaningful plan that aligns with both their aspirations and the demands of research and professional development.I approach mentees as individuals who already possess strengths and emerging talents. My role is to recognize these capacities, refine them, and extend them through intentional guidance. I work with mentees to identify what they do well, where they seek growth, and how those areas can be strengthened through deliberate practice, feedback, and exposure to research processes.
I also prioritize ownership and accountability. I encourage mentees to take responsibility for their work, decisions, and development. This ownership builds confidence, independence, and scholarly identity. I support this process by creating a structured yet flexible environment, where mentees are challenged, supported, and connected to broader academic and professional networks within Florida State University.
Additional Information
I bring an interdisciplinary and international perspective to mentoring, grounded in both practice and research. I am a trained mental health counselor, registered psychologist, and social worker, with a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees in social work and psychology, completed across the United Kingdom and multiple European contexts. My training spans diverse systems in Europe, Africa, and the United States, which allows me to effectively support students from varied cultural, academic, and professional backgrounds. I am currently a PhD student and a graduate research assistant at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, where I engage in applied and policy-relevant research. Students who work with me will gain exposure not only to this project but also to broader research environments, collaborative work, and the practical realities of research that informs child welfare and mental health systems.I mentor with both structure and flexibility. While this project focuses on a scoping review of children’s engagement in domestic violence research, I support students in developing their own research interests alongside the project. Students who wish to pursue independent ideas, including empirical studies or secondary data analysis, will be guided in shaping and advancing those projects. I provide support in research design, academic writing, and quantitative analysis, including the use of SPSS and other statistical tools. I believe this approach allows students to build technical competence while also developing ownership of their work. I am particularly interested in students from social sciences and health-related fields, as this creates a strong foundation for collaboration, but I remain open to motivated students from all backgrounds who are ready to engage, learn, and grow.