Research impact
What's the impact of student research?
“This is cutting-edge research that we're doing as undergraduates, with a high chance that our results will be published. Not only do you develop all these skills, you’ve also got a chance to have your paper put into records which will be there forever. That can never be taken away, which to me is really exciting. It's also an opportunity to make things that no one has ever made.”
Russ, Chemistry
“We consider all undergraduates to be a part of the academy. It’s a chance to make a real contribution the field you are studying in. Publishing it or presenting on it lets people know, adds it to the general record of what's happening in your area. I think that’s a really satisfying, a really rewarding experience for any undergraduate to have.”
Emma, IATL
How can student research impact your future?
Alumni career journeys and student research
Daniel Davies | Kimberly Jamie | Alexander Cosic |
Politics and International Studies | Sociology/Warwick Medical School | School of Engineering/Warwick Manufacturing Group |
Project title: The Bologna Process in Britain and Germany: Commodification of Education | Project title: Women's experiences of complementary and alternative therapies for menopausal symptoms | Project title: Incorporation of Biofuels within a Hybrid Vehicle Powertrain Simulation Tool |
Daniel says: "Academics in my department were eager to discuss any research in the field (and given that it was about Higher Education in general, we received a lot of strong opinions from academics too." My research project's "focus on German higher education also helped pique my interested in the language and I went to live in Austria for a while. Perhaps most importantly, the Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme (URSS) provided a tangible example of research skills recognised in subsequent job applications, which I am sure has helped my career." |
Kimberly says: "I was snapped up for PhD funding on a medical sociology project having completed a URSS project on medical sociology. Securing URSS funding and the research paper we were working on helped win PhD funding." My research project "equipped me very early on in my career with research skills which many don't learn until their first year PhD. This meant I hit the ground running with my PhD, got on with it and finished in three years with publications and teaching experience!" |
Alexander says: "I believe that I got my first job out of university by showing my ability to learn and deliver results quickly. I did use my URSS project as a case example of a time when I did exactly that." My research project "clarified for me that an EngD was not the right choice for me after graduation as I'm much better suited to real, live, practical issues." |
“Students genuinely contribute to the research that I am doing, take me another step along the path. To be able to get student on board, being able to take that step forward through the student is just so valuable to the academic, really is.”
Martine, Statistics
Examples of high-impact research projects involving students