Research projects
Be a published researcher before you finish high school.
Twelve research teams, 9 active project managers, one editorial pipeline. Teams of 4–6 students investigate a real question in architecture or urbanism and co-author a paper over ten weeks.
Current investigations
What teams are researching right now.
Cohort topics are being finalized
Research topics appear here when teams form — apply now and you'll help pick.
Pick your group
Open seats, live.
Each project manager leads a group of three researchers. Choose your PM, grab a seat — or take the flexible Additional Participants spot and float between projects.
YAO Group Research Projects
Pick a project manager's group — each caps at three researchers. Full groups take a waitlist, and the Additional Participants spot keeps you in the rotation across every project.
Additional Group Research Participants
Flexible spotSelected additional participants receive the same hours as the rest of their group, but are expected to respond immediately and work efficiently. You may sign up for other group research projects at the same time.
Approved signups are automatically added to that project manager's team space — roster, Google Classroom code, deadlines, and hour tracking included. Waitlists promote in order when a seat opens.
The 10-week arc
How a research cohort runs.
Weeks 1–2
Kickoff, topic framing, and research-methods crash course with your project manager.
Weeks 3–5
Source gathering and case studies. Annotated outline due to your PM.
Weeks 6–8
Drafting. Weekly team meetings to merge sections and peer-review.
Weeks 9–10
Editorial review by the Research Editor, revisions, and submission for publication.
Your project space
Each team gets a private portal space with the Google Classroom code, meeting links, deadlines, shared files, task lists, and announcements from your PM.
Your project manager
A trained student leader who runs meetings, reviews drafts, verifies your hours, and writes references for strong contributors.
Editorial review
Finished papers go through the Research Editor for structure, citation, and clarity checks before publication on the YAO site.
Fall 2026 teams are forming now.
No research experience required — the first two weeks teach you everything you need.