Hello again!

One of the most exciting parts of studying at university is being able to choose what you study and research projects are a great way to explore areas that you are particularly interested in.

Research projects are different from essays and other assessments as you are able to set your own question and in some way contribute your original ideas to existing literature. Throughout your GSD degree, there are opportunities for research projects in modules like in the first year GSD Project module and in your final year dissertation. Research takes all different forms: it can be primary research, like surveys or questionnaires with real people, or secondary research, such as analysing an existing data set or combining two bodies of research to draw new conclusions.

All final year students in GSD write a dissertation, which probably seems like a long way into the future now, but is a good example of how exciting doing your own research at university can be.

At the moment I am working on my project investigating the impacts of climate change on health inequalities in Canada using interviews with healthcare practitioners. My project builds on learning from the Health and Sustainability module offered in second year as well as other modules from GSD and Life Sciences. Of course, primary research is not compulsory, but there is support available from a GSD supervisor, whatever research method works best for you. The collaborative nature of the GSD cohort is also a great bonus: everyone is happy to share their project ideas and feedback on your research.

Research projects are a great way to further explore the areas of the course that you are most passionate about and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do when you come to Warwick.

Hope your studies are going well!

Katharine McEnery

Final-year Life Sciences and GSD student

Friday 14 February 2020