David Beck: URSS Group from Briefing 1 on Wednesday 18th April

Research area:The intellectual culture of early modern Britain (c. 1600-1800). I’m currently exploring the intersections between science and memorial culture around the end of the seventeenth century, and also have particular interests in the history of medicine through the seventeenth century.

Favourite thing about being a researcher:There are a lot! I enjoy the cycles of “everything coming together” and then, as you learn/think more and pick holes in the argument being formed it all falls apart, before coming together again… and so on. That, and picking up a volume of manuscripts that nobody has looked at for a couple of hundred years, with very little idea what I’ll find inside.

Least favourite thing about being a researcher: When there’s nothing of interest inside, though that rarely happens if you read with an open mind… More seriously, at the moment the negativity of my colleagues regarding (their understandings of) government policy and the future of the profession is intensely annoying.

One thing I wish I’d known when I first started doing research:I started my PhD purely as a hobby, and wish I had known over the first twelve months that it would turn into a vocation.

Stephen Tate: URSS Group from Briefing 1 on Wednesday 25th April

Research area: I am working in Mathematical Physics and in particular, Quantum Statistical Mechanics. At present, my research focus is in something known as the Virial Expansion, which is a low density expression for thermodynamic pressure in terms of density. I am specifically looking at what physical significance the range of validity of this series has and whether there are any interpretations of a phase transition (like a liquid to gas) that can arise from this.

Favourite thing about being a researcher: The independence of what you study and ability to take ownership over my own work.

Least favourite thing about being a researcher: The requirement to structure my own time; to set my own deadlines and milestones.

One thing I wished I had known before starting my research: How essential it is to plan and schedule all time effectively - to imagine shorter milestones to achieve on the way to end result.

Jacqueline Contre: URSS Group from Briefing 1 on Wednesday 25th April & Thursday 17th May

Research area: Investigating Banner Theatre, one of Britain’s longest established political theatre companies, and the effect of their distinctive forms of cultural interventions on audiences’ perceptions of migration, multiculturalism and community cohesion.

Favourite thing about being a researcher: Being embedded in an organisation as part of an action research process, and delving into a range of methodologies, such as participant-observation.

Least favourite thing about being a researcher: At times, too much participation to the detriment of observation.

One thing I wish I had known when I first started doing research: How to build a relevant peer research community right from the outset.

Stephen Ingram: Group from Briefing 1 on Thursday 26th April

Research area: Cardiac rehabilitation is the process for aiding recovery from a heart attack. However, rates of uptake and completion are very low. I am using psychological theory to develop a film of patient experiences to be shown to new patients. I shall then test the effectiveness of that intervention at improving uptake and completion by patients of CR.

Favourite thing about being a researcher: The way that the projects take on a life all of their own.

Least favourite thing about being a researcher: Sometimes I have a feeling of not being very productive.

One thing I wish I had known when you first started doing research: That your literature review is ongoing all the time, what you see in a paper today, may well have very different meaning and significance for you later.

Austin Griffiths: Group from Briefing 1 on Saturday 28th April

Research area: How and why anti-school attitudes develop in a challenging secondary school. This project is an ethnographic study following a new Year 7 intake (approximately 100 students) over a two year period. It will use quantitative and qualitative data to trace the development of anti-school attitudes and look for causal and developmental factors. It will particularly focus on grouping practises, school ethos, cultural capital, socio-economic factors, and peer influence.

Favourite thing about being a researcher: For me, the best part about being a researcher is being able to show that huge inequalities and discrimination exists in today’s society. As an educational sociologist it is something I am passionate about.

Least favourite thing about being a researcher: Is not having enough time because I have to earn a living to support myself and my family.

One thing I wished I’d known? Difficult – maybe Hofstader’s Law: Things always take longer than you think – even when you take into account Hofstader’s Law!

Zijiin Li: Group from Briefing 1 on Saturday 28th April

Research area: Discrimination based on health status in China (human rights law).

Favourite thing about being a researcher: The freedom to choose what I like to study.

Least favourite thing about being a researcher: Being alone for a long time.