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How to Host a Research Placement or Experience: Q&A
As an employer or academic institution, you can nurture future talent by hosting a Research Placement or Experience!
Do you have a suitable research project or experience for a Year 12 learner?
Students are bright, capable, and can complete a variety of tasks including data analysis, scoping, and experimental design.
Discover the impact placements have and read our Q&A to find out how you can get involved.
What is a Nuffield Research Placement?
Nuffield Research Placements and Experiences give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to gain skills and confidence in science and research.
How long would a placement be?
Nuffield Experience Placements (NEPs) are 5-day explorations with industry experts to identify essential skills needed for employment in STEM sectors. While producing a workbook and reflective report, students gain insight into working in professional environments as well as knowledge of the challenges for different sectors, in turn preparing them for employment.
Nuffield Research Placements (NRPs) are 2-week collaborations with a STEM-related knowledge expert on a live research question or area of development. While producing a scientific or technical report and poster, this opportunity ensures that students contribute meaningfully to the host organisation’s current work.
Which projects work well?
A well-supervised but independent research project or exploration suitable for a 16/17 year-old. Projects must have broadly scientific, quantitative or technical content, but they don’t have to be based in a laboratory. They might be office-based or include a lot of fieldwork, or they might focus on engineering, data analysis or computer science.
How do I offer a placement?
NRPs & NEPs are administered by a network of regional coordinators across the UK. Your Nuffield coordinator will select students who are suitable for your project and will support them throughout the process. The first step is to have a conversation with your local coordinator, who will tell you all you need to know about hosting a student.
What are the benefits?
By hosting a placement or experience you can support young people and diversify your workforce while forging strong links with schools and colleges in your local area.
You can:
Inspire – Inspire the next generation of researchers and developers, developing future talent
Mentoring – Develop your mentoring and supervisory skills
Research and development – Work with top students to make significant contributions to your projects
Move forward – Invaluable assistance when time on a project is short
Public engagement – Make progress towards organisational and strategic objectives with the public
No financial commitment – Travel expenses are provided for students
Enhance – Enhance institutional reputation with new cohorts of students
This sounds like a fantastic opportunity, how do I find out more & get involved?
If you’re based in Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester or Cheshire, contact us below. If not, click here to find your local coordinator.
For further information or to get started today, contact our team via [email protected]
Nuffield Research Placements are funded by the Nuffield Foundation and delivered by STEM Learning.
All About STEM works on lots of exciting STEM projects. As part of the STEM Learning family, we are Nuffield Research Placements Coordinator for the North West and a STEM Ambassadors Partner supporting the National STEM Ambassadors Programme via the STEM Ambassadors Community.
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