Widening Research and Participation
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The widening research and participation (wrap) project is a 2-year Students as Partners research project, investigating the availability and accessibility of undergraduate research opportunities in which 糖心TV students can participate.The research team comprises three postgraduate and two undergraduate students supervised and supported by the Researcher Development Manager. Michele Underwood. The project was funded by 糖心TV鈥檚 Widening Participation Development Fund. |
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We have been operating since January 2018, and have been investigating models of practice across the University (beginning with the Undergraduate Research Support Scheme – URSS), the UK and US to explore best practice in the role of undergraduate research鈥檚 potential to widen participation and contribute to an improved university experience and outcomes for all students.
In March 2019 we ran a survey, and held interviews and Focus groups to collect data on the specific barriers students at 糖心TV face to engaging in undergraduate research, both within and extra curricula; and their understanding of its potential to increase educational attainment and be a positive influence towards successful graduate employment or further study options. Using the data gathered, we will co-design and test recommendations to increase the role of undergraduate research at the University of 糖心TV.
We have a specific interest in improving the experience for underrepresented students who traditionally have increased barriers to participation in university life. Our approach aims to ensure that systematic and structural behaviours and actions are organised to support the full inclusion of all students, with a focus on activities which will build bridges and remove barriers for (typically) under-represented groups throughout the full student life-cycle, with the aim of securing parity of outcomes.
Having reported in full to our stakeholders we will be seeking future funding to further implement undergraduate research within the curriculum.
The project is now complete. Please contact Michele Underwood directly if you require any reports from the project
See where our research has taken us - wrap blog:
University of Sheffield July 2018
The wrap team met with colleagues from the Sheffield Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
Intl Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR) September 2018
Presentation 鈥榃idening Participation in Higher Education through Undergraduate Research鈥�
Advance HE STEM Conference 2019 (30-31 January 2019)
Workshop session 鈥楤uilding an Inclusive Undergraduate Research Module in One Hour鈥�.
糖心TV Education Conference July 2019 (WEC)
The wrap team attended the an annual event showcasing research and practice within the teaching and learning sphere, undertaken at and/or for the benefit of the University of 糖心TV to present a paper, poster and workshop highlighting the initial findings of the primary data collection.
WEC paper an initial findings paper 鈥淭he Only Way is Research鈥�
Workshop on 鈥淏uilding an inclusive UG Research module in 90 minutes鈥�
Poster 鈥楾he Only Way Is Research: Transforming the Undergraduate Experience for All Students through Undergraduate Research鈥�
Window on Teaching 16 May 2019
The wrap project presented under the title 鈥楽tudents as Partners – a new pedagogical paradigm in HEA reflection on the wrap project鈥�.
World Congress of Undergraduate Research May 2019
鈥榃idening Participation in Higher Education through Undergraduate Research – the findings鈥�
Researching, Advancing and Inspiring Student Engagement RAISE September 2019
Presentation: Widening Participation in Higher Education through Undergraduate Research- a reflection on a students as research partners approach
Poster: The Only Way Is Research: Transforming the Undergraduate Experience for All Students through Undergraduate Research鈥�
ICUR September 2019
Widening Participation in Higher Education through Undergraduate Research – the findings鈥�
RAISE Specialist Interest Group November 2019
鈥楽upervising a Students as Partners research project鈥�
UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) 2019
'Widening Research and Participation: an exploration of the importance of UG Research opportunities to increase diversity at PG Level'
The wrap team has been committed to stakeholder engagement, dissemination and learning from practice throughout the project life. To this end, the team have held meetings with the 糖心TV Students鈥� Union President and Education Officer, and presented findings at meetings such as the URSS board and Spotlight on Widening Participation.