We are working with students, to develop and produce peer-support videos to help students get started with independent research at university.

The project is a collaboration between Library staff and students and academic colleagues from English and the SMLC. The students have designed and created a suite of videos to help incoming students see the benefit of engaging with independent research from day one of their degree. The project aims to help students make the transition from school to university-level research, and from first year to honours level. The students have been involved in scoping the videos, agreeing the content, providing their personal views, and appearing in the videos.

The project focus:

• initial scoping of the students’ views on and approaches to independent research;
• creation of 3 videos to support students in their research, at key moments in their degree (pre-arrival, first assignment and transition to honours level);
• evaluation of the project and of video as a medium for this type of student support.

The videos:

The evaluation of the project will be delivered in a reflective video and accompanying report.

Kate Courage

Cathy Hampton

Ant Brewerton

Sarah Wood