The Paid Participant Studies List is hosted on the Psychology Graduate Student Council website. While most studies here are conducted in the Psychology Department, other departments recruiting participants are welcome to advertise.
Notice to Researchers: Researchers willing to advertise should note that as this page is accessible to the public, we cannot monitor nor guarantee the quality of data you may collect, particularly for online studies. To ensure the integrity of your data, we strongly recommend implementing additional quality checks within your study design.
Current Studies
We welcome both the general public and students to participate, and please check the eligibility requirements for each study.
Your participation in our studies is greatly appreciated! To ensure that the research results are accurate and meaningful, it’s important that you give your full attention and respond honestly to all questions. Please make sure to carefully read and follow the instructions provided in each study.
Last updated: July 9th, 2026
Adjunctive CElecoxib in childhood-onset OCD (ACE-OCD) Study
Researcher: Dr. S. Evelyn Stewart
Description: We’re recruiting for a 12-week clinical trial of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory celecoxib as an add-on to current usual treatment in children and youth. Participants do not need to stop current medications or treatments in order to enroll. After the screening process, participants will be randomized to either Celecoxib or placebo for 12 weeks. Study tasks include two blood draws, a diagnostic interview, online surveys, and 3 visits with a study physician.
- Live in BC
- 7-18 years old
- Clinical diagnosis of OCD
- Further eligibility criteria will be determined during the screening process after initial contact
Location: Participation can take place either virtually over Zoom or on-campus at BC Children’s Hospital.
Contact information: If you are interested in participating, please contact the study team at aceocd@bcchr.ca
Reimbursement/Time: $25 digital gift card after the first two study appointments (1-2 hours each), $50 digital gift after the final appointment (1-2 hours). Approximate participation time of 5-7 hours across 14-16 weeks.
Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted July 9, 2026.
Feasibility study of long-term light and ion therapy for maintenance treatment in depression (LIMIT-D) (In-person)
Researcher: Dr. Raymond Lam, Department of Psychiatry
Description:The UBC Mood Disorders Centre at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health is recruiting for a feasibility study exploring the use of two separate non-medication treatments, light therapy and ion therapy, as maintenance treatment in major depression. We are interested in exploring factors affecting the two treatments as maintenance treatments (to help prevent the return of symptoms) instead of medications in people with Major Depressive Disorders who wish to stop their antidepressant treatment.
- are 19-65 years old
- meet criteria for major depressive disorder (not bipolar disorder)
- are currently taking an antidepressant, with no dose change in the past month
- are interested in stopping your antidepressant
- are feeling well (no longer depressed), according to a clinical interview
- do not have a seasonal pattern of depressive episodes (seasonal affective disorder)
- do not have any other major medical or psychiatric conditions
- do not have a problem with substance use currently or within the past 6 months.
Location: UBC Mood Disorders Centre, at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
Contact information: Research coordinator, Lam.MDDResearch2@ubc.ca / 604-822-8012, https://app.reachbc.ca/project/study/424
Reimbursement/Time: $15 per visit (1-2 hours)
Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted March 31, 2026.
Do you live in a basement in Vancouver
Researcher: Anam Bashir and Dr. Julia Harten
Description: Researchers at UBC are studying the real experience of renting a basement suite — the affordability, the everyday conditions, and what it means to call a basement home. Your experience matters and deserves to be heard.
Eligibility: Currently living or have lived (for at least 6 months) in a basement suite (NOT ground level) in the City of Vancouver or Surrey.
Location: in-person (place of convenience for the participant) or online
Contact Information: anamb@student.ubc.ca
Reimbursement/Time:
- $25 Gift Card
Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted June 27, 2026.
PEARLS: Positive Emotions and Relationships Longitudinal Study (In-Person)
Researcher: Dr. Samantha Dawson (PI), Dr. Katrina Bouchard (Co-PI), Dr. Marie-Michèle Paquette (Postdoctoral Fellow), Marta Kolbuszewska, M.A. (PhD Candidate), Kiarah M. K. O’Kane, M.A (PhD student), Rylee Mason (Research Coordinator)
Description: The goal of the PEARLS study is to better understand how emotions relate to sexual well-being.
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Online baseline survey (30-45 minutes), brief daily surveys (14 days), 4 additional surveys (3-, 6-, 12-, and 18 months post baseline)
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One in-lab session where you and your partner will engage in filmed discussions while your physiological responses are recorded. (2 hours)
Eligibility: Wondering if you are a good fit for the study? You may be eligible if you AND your partner…
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Are in a committed relationship of more than 2 years
- Currently live together
- Comfortable reading, writing, and conversing in English
Location:
- Most components completed online
- In-lab session (2 hours): Douglas T. Kenny Building (2136 West Mall, Vancouver BC, V6T1Z4)
Contact Information:
- If you are interested and think the study might be a good fit for you and your partner, please complete the following questions at this link: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ZXXqGTUDsNUBdY.
- Or email the pearls@psych.ubc.ca
Reimbursement/Time:
- Compensation will be provided for each component of the study up to a total of $200 CAD in gift cards ($400 CAD per couple).
Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted June 22, 2026.
How LGBTQ+ Youth and Their Parents Envision Digital Support Tools
Researcher: Dr. Dongwook Yoon (Principal Investigator), Gale Chen
Description: We are a research group at the University of British Columbia, and we are looking for LGBTQ+ youth and parents of LGBTQ+ youth to participate in a paid research study.
Eligibility:
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Youth should identify as LGBTQ+ and are between the ages of 14 and 24.
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Parents should be the parent of a LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 14 to 24.
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You must be comfortable participating in English.
Please note that we are not recruiting participants in pairs — youth can participate without their parent, and vice versa.
Location: The study is conducted in-person at the UBC Vancouver campus in the Department of Computer Science (preferred) or on Zoom. The total time is 3 hours per person.
Contact Information:
Reimbursement/Time: Participants will receive a $30/hr compensation for participating in a 1-hour interview, and a 2-hour co-design session. Maximum compensation is $90 per participant. For in-person participation, public transportation and parking costs will be reimbursed with receipt.