Students as ResearchersA Stirling Student Union led Employability Initiative

Lucy Harvey Vice President Activities and Development

Introduction

• What is Students as Researchers?• How does it fit with what employers want?• Has it achieved its aims?• Where are the initiative’s development needs?• Are there barriers to its development?

What is Students as Researchers?

• Offers research and development opportunities to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

• Shares with students the intensity, excitement and satisfaction a career in research can give those who pursue them.

• Allows students to explore options in research.

What is Students as Researchers?

• Equips students with highly transferable skills.

• Received projects that develop skills graduate employers looks for; Self-management, Teamwork, Problem Solving.

• As well as; Project planning, Qualitative and/or quantitative research modules, Ethical issues in research, Data analysis, Project evaluation and reporting, Appropriate presentation of findings.

What is Students as Researchers?

• Increased student engagement in subject area.

• Increased time spent on project.

• Support student development outside of the curriculum.

Current Projects

“Understanding the Molecular Basis of Skeletal Muscle Adaptations to Exercise and Nutrition.”

“Effects of familiarity on face processing”

“What’s in a face? Measuring gorilla facial morphology”

“Exploring clinically relevant personality differences and individual patterns in Autonomic Nervous System Activity using Heart Rate Variability “

Does this fit with what employers want?

“Transferable skills” “Confidence”

“Team-working experience, more rounded experience”

“Indicative of a motivated person”“Extended general knowledge”

“Increased ‘soft skills’”“Project focus experience”

“More rounded and better able to communicate”

A recent survey of 45 organisations across Scotland cited the following as most valuable skills:

Does this fit with what employers want?

40% of surveyed employers claimed that job applicants with experience of co-curricular activities had, to some extent, a better chance of employment (40%).

40% claimed it significantly influenced candidates’ success.

Has the initiative achieved its aims?

Engaged 10 students, received 6 projects across 2 schools… so far!

‘Evened the playing field’ for students wanting to become involved in research projects.

Ensure that students get the most out of projects through transferable and specific skill gaining.

There is a key focus on students reflecting as they go and recording their work, something that is key for development of further skills.

What are the initiative’s development needs/barriers?

Development Need Getting Academics on Board

Diversifying projects to engage more students.

BarriersEncouraging students to apply

Staff submitting projects

TaskHow can we solve this?

Any Questions?