The Integration of Accessibility into Undergraduate Research Curricula: A Comparison of Life Sciences and Medicine at the University of Warwick
The Integration of Accessibility into Undergraduate Research Curricula: A Comparison of Life Sciences and Medicine at the University of Warwick
Lead: Chelsie Jones, WMS
Team members: Imogen Andrews, Life Sciences; Dana McCutcheon, Politics and International Studies
2025/2026
Summary
This project undertakes a comparative analysis of how accessibility is integrated into research curricula across two departments at the University of Warwick: Warwick Medical School and the School of Life Sciences. Drawing on existing literature on undergraduate research education, the project will identify key pedagogical objectives and examine the accessibility-related barriers that may hinder their achievement. Accessibility will be considered as the availability of resources as well as in the effort to create an equitable teaching environment.
Primary data will be gathered through descriptive case studies, combining semi-structured interviews with an analysis of teaching resources, to assess how - and to what extent - accessibility is embedded within current research training practices.
The project's ultimate aim is to develop and disseminate an inclusive framework that university departments can adopt to strengthen accessibility within undergraduate research education, supporting more equitable participation across disciplines.