Nuffield FoundationIndependent charitable trust

1
Supporting research Supporting science Supporting
careers

• Nuffield Foundation Independent charitable trust
• Trustees are committed to the careers of young
  scientists through curriculum development and
  practical schemes
• Two bursary schemes which provide practical
  experience with practicing scientists
• Schools and Colleges Undergraduate
  Research
• 2006 Review
• Strikingly effective schemes seen as crucial
  encounters at a critical stage in career choice
• 2007 2012 Expansion
• 1million committed for 1500 bursaries in
  2007
• Actively seeking partners for further
  expansion

2
Undergraduate scheme

• A life changing opportunity
• Nearly 4000 students since 1990
• Experience research and inform their career
  choice
• Summer vacation research projects for science
  students
• Physical, Earth, Environmental, Biological and
  Biomedical Sciences
• Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
• Partnership with UK universities and research
  institutions
• Competitive and peer reviewed
• Prestigious
• Significant returns for small cost

3
Operation

• Science undergraduates - middle years of their
  degree
• Supervisor applies with a named student
• Defined research project with student input
• 6 to 8 weeks at 170 per week (180 in London)
• 450 bursaries available in 2007
• Guidelines and Application forms from web site
• Closing date Tuesday 13 February 2007
• Peer review panel, Trustees decisions
• Short structured report by 30 November 2007
• Occasional retrospective surveys

4
Supervisors

• Initiate research projects
• Develop ideas, techniques and equipment
• Pump prime young academics research programme
• Mentoring opportunities for PhD students and
  post-docs
• Demonstrate a commitment to research careers
• Find the best prospective PhD students
• Data or concept proof for grant proposals
• Pilot work for PhD, post-doc or group
  continuation
• Gain publications, patents, conference
  presentations

5
Students and careers

• Important insight into the life of a researcher
• Educates and informs career choice
• Unlike undergraduate practicals, hands on,
  outcome unknown
• Apply skills and knowledge to real-life projects
• Team and work environment as important as the
  research project
• Opportunity to observe and talk to other
  researchers
• See how new ideas are created and developed
• Confidence in ability to undertake a PhD
• Know what to look for and expect in a PhD
• Enhances CV
• Publications, presentations, PhD studentships
• 55 to PhDs on graduation, more in subsequent
  years
• Over 95 remain in science

6
Students and skills

• Develops scientific creativity, problem solving
  and confidence in ability
• Develops learning and interpretation skills and
  flexibility
• Transferable skills
• team working communication time management
  project management
• Additional training
• IT data analysis presentation literature
  skills

7
Undergraduate research experiences

• Enhance skills, confidence and enjoyment of
  science
• Scientists are friendly, enthusiastic, passionate
  and fun
• Enable informed career choices
• Should be available to all prospective PhD
  students
• Encourage many more young people to experience
  the nature and rewards of a life in science