URSS: Student Stories

Amelia Brady

 2026

 School of Modern Languages and Cultures

"Participating in the URSS was an incredible and highly rewarding experience that I cannot recommend enough. My project allowed me to go beyond the syllabus of my degree, and pursue a topic I was truly passionate about. The topic of immigration in Argentina was something that had been lightly explored throughout my degree, but the URSS gave me the time and opportunity to explore it in a more meaningful and developed way.

 The project also allowed me to spend a week in Argentina, exploring the culture, history and language of a country I would otherwise never have been able to experience. This project also allowed me to explore topics deeply personal to me, and gave me the opportunity to speak to and interview family members I had never met before while in the country.

I would deeply recommend the URSS to all students at Warwick; it will allow you to develop your CV, explore something you are truly interested in and experience things you otherwise never would have, there truly are no negatives !"

Callum Hodge

 2025

 Physics

Probing the Brown Dwarf Desert using a Simulated Population of Transiting Brown Dwarfs in the Solar Neighbourhood

"My URSS project was conducted in the field of astrophysics. Specifically, I investigated a concept known as the Brown Dwarf Desert, a region around stars where we expect to find very few brown dwarfs - a type of astronomical object that has less mass than a star like our Sun. This project allowed me to develop a variety of techniques and skills in Python coding, data collection and management, exploring and condensing literature information and research presentation - all skills that are incredibly valuable in preparing for a career in astrophysics research.

 Yet most importantly, URSS allowed me to get a taste of academic research to a level that I have never experienced before. Not only was this the first research project that I had conducted which lasted for multiple months, but also the project allowed me to explore every aspect of the research process - from creating the idea to the final published paper - an opportunity that extends beyond the limits of my degree. Furthermore, this project meant that I could also pursue another important aspect of research, and that is public engagement. After conducting this research, I was able to share this at conferences, such as ICUR, and publish this in undergraduate research journals.

 Beyond the project, I was able to attend multiple meetings and seminars every week that the department had to offer in order to extend my knowledge in the field of exoplanets and brown dwarfs. This is something that is seldom talked about in URSS advertising, however it has proved just as important and fascinating for my future career. The meetings also allowed me to meet other members of the department, which allowed me to gain a wealth of experience on what life is truly like for an academic and gain vital connections in the field.

 For anyone thinking of a career in research, I cannot recommend URSS enough. It gives an amazing opportunity to gain an insight into the proceedings of academia to a standard that simply cannot be obtained from a degree alone. It is the perfect way to kickstart a journey towards a career in research!"

Sephanie Lee You Voon

 2026

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Comparative Analysis of Environmental Policies in Four Countries’ Contexts.

"What if the policies designed to tackle climate change could be made more effective by understanding the context in which they are implemented? This question was at the heart of my URSS project. More than an opportunity to conduct research, the URSS prompted me to think about how I can apply what I have learned through my studies to some of the world's most pressing issues.

Managing an independent research project, conducting interviews with experts, analysing large sets of data and communicating findings to different audiences not only sharpened my analytical and interpersonal skills, but also gave me a real sense of what research involves beyond the classroom.

Throughout the research process, my supervisor provided valuable guidance and the URSS organising team genuinely created an environment in which students' development and success mattered. Being surrounded by like-minded students made the research journey even more holistic as I got to learn from peers working on a variety of research questions.

The biggest lesson I am taking away from the URSS is that research is not simply about finding answers. It is about developing the skills, confidence and connections to ask better questions, engage with different perspectives and turn knowledge into action.

If you are considering applying, my advice is to make the most out of this opportunity to delve into the topic that interests you most, reach out for advice from experts, explore ideas outside your comfort zone and share your work with people who may see it from a completely different perspective.

For me, the URSS has transformed my curiosity and interest in environmental policy into an independent research project allowing me to connect with experts and contribute my own ideas to an issue affecting both current and future generations.

It is now your chance to make the experience as rewarding as you can in your own unique way 😊"

Elizabeth Williams

 2026

 MBio Biological Sciences

  Land Management

"My URSS project explores how land is managed across England, if sustainable soil management practices are implemented and how the experiences of those adopting these practices can help to shape environmental policy. I was especially interested in the gap between what science recommends and what is actually realistic on the ground - it can often feel as If scientists and farmers are speaking different languages!

While recruiting participants for my survey, I started reaching out directly to agricultural organisations to explain the project and ask whether they would share it with their networks. One of those conversations led to the opportunity to write for the Society of Agriculture, where my article, “From Policy to Practice: Why Soil Science Needs Farmer Experience,” was published for an external agricultural audience.

That was one of the most rewarding parts of the project. It made me realise that research can have much more impact when you take initiative to actively take it outside the University and communicate it in a way that is useful to the people affected by it.

Writing for an external audience also taught me that good public engagement is not just about simplifying science. It is about understanding what matters to your audience, listening to their experiences and planning targeted research, relevant to real-world decisions.

URSS has assisted in confirming to me that I want a career in environmental management and consultancy, where science, policy and stakeholder perspectives all need to come together. My biggest advice to future URSS students would be to reach out, start conversations and be open to where your research might lead.

I am now looking forward to analysing the survey findings and turning them into practical recommendations for sustainable soil management and environmental policy."