the establishment of a multi- disciplinary undergraduate research internship scheme at the...
TRANSCRIPT
The establishment of a multi-disciplinary undergraduate research internship scheme at the University of Central
Lancashire (UCLan)
Professor Stuart Hampton-reeves
Dr Mandy Dillon
The Centre for Research-informed Teaching
Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme
• Now in its third year
• Opportunity for students to work on ‘real research’ projects
• Staff put in project bids
• Students apply to do the projects
• Real research outcomes
• Huge project diversity
The scheme is very successful
• QAA Institutional Audit (2008)
‘raised the research aspirations of
undergraduate students’.
• Intern places are extremely popular.
2010
• over 350 applications for 50 intern places
• covering 35 different areas of research
‘testing for novel selective NMDA receptor antagonists as potential drugs to treat migraines’.
‘developing an engineering outreach programme and E-learn portal with local Schools and Colleges’.
‘performing an environmental sustainability audit for selected UCLan buildings’.
‘What is the future of the book’.
What’s in it for them?Helps to create Multi skilled graduates
Critical thinking skills
Transferable skills
Confidence
Better informedEnthusiastic
Technical Skills
Experience
Further Study
Employability
What’s in it for us?
Attracts students to the University
Produces mature resourceful graduates
Encourages further study
Increases Employability?
Increases motivation
What the students think
Students fill out evaluation form and keep a reflective log throughout the project
The future for university graduates?
Student Internships
• Pioneered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the 1960s
• Common in America
• UK much more limited
• Similar schemes in a few other institutions in the UK including Warwick and Oxford Brookes
National Conference for Undergraduate Research
(USA) 2010
NCUR
BCUR
British Conference of Undergraduate Research 2011
Thank you
Questions?