What the students said
I've learnt and applied new lab techniques and skills that will most definitely be useful for my 4th year research project, as well as for listing on my CV or in job applications.
All of the things I have learnt will be valuable for my research project during my Masters, as well as during a PhD, which I now know I most definitely am interested in applying for.
I’ve enjoyed being able to design and carry out my own experiments that I feel will benefit the group's research. It has helped build my independence and use of initiative immensely, as well as let me feel like a valuable member of the research group during my time here. I'll be very sad to leave!
Elizabeth Hampson, Chemistry
The uniqueness of this experience is reflected in the simulation of being in a PHD working environment. The suggestions on how to conduct high-quality research, provided by my supervisor, benefited me a great deal, helping me to build up confidence.
I’ve learnt to manage my time effectively and how to solve problems as an individual, for example, how to purchase experimental materials online. My supervisor assigned tasks that needed to be completed in a relatively short period, which really challenged me on a practical basis.
Siyuan Zhou, Product Design and Manufacture
As my academic and professional goal is to obtain a PhD, I feel that this unique experience has provided valuable insight into a university research environment. It has given me a greater understanding of the type of research that is undertaken within the University and has broadened my knowledge of the field of Biomedical Materials Science.
As with any ambition, you will have a lot of questions, for example: ‘How do I achieve my goal?’ and ‘What does the process entail?’ Most of the time, you cannot find the answers unless you have gone through that experience yourself. By having constant contact with academics and research staff, it has allowed me to answer those questions through their experience, which is invaluable.
What I have enjoyed most about my experience is the opportunity to discuss novel research with supervisors and research fellows, the broad nature of the project, as well as understanding the real world applications that directly result from my research. I fully recommend this experience to anyone that is considering applying as you will gain far more than what you envisage.
Matthew Wadge N-SERP
Matthew Wadge, Biomedical Materials Science
This placement had me writing programs to characterise and model cities. I've sharpened my programming abilities, and I've had to become proficient with GIS software and data handling. All in all, this placement has been a very good way to spend the summer.
My placement has taught me how to formulate solutions and enact them, for problems more complicated than "Solve for x". I've also had to use my physics and programming training to model something more abstract and less immediately tractable than the systems we think about in the lecture hall. The challenges have made me up my research game, and get more comfortable with independent learning.
The placement has taught me exactly what PhD research in this field is like, as well as work as part of a large project of this type. There are loads of people on the project from different academic backgrounds, and it's been really fascinating to hear how non-physicists approach this subject.
What I've enjoyed most has to be working with the cool cool PhD students. There are people in the office from all over the world and they're all very friendly.
Joseph Hadley, Physics
Joseph Hadley, Physics
This placement has shown me what it really means to be involved in real life research, and that has inspired me to pursue a PhD studentship on the first step of what I hope to be a long career in research and development.
I enjoyed the scope of the project, and the immersive nature of the placement. I never thought eight weeks could go by so quickly. I especially enjoyed presenting my own results to my supervisors and defending why they had come out the way they had, and then presenting these findings at the end of the placement.
Kathryn Thomas: Materials Engineering and Materials Design, Dean's Award winner, 2015
Researching and testing the behaviour of a group of engineering materials has been an interesting and truly enjoyable experience. I think the most important thing I have gained from this placement has been proof that I do have the ability to do a PhD, and that I definitely want to pursue a career in materials engineering.
I have gained a great amount of confidence in my own abilities as both a student and a researcher… For anyone considering an ERPS project, I 100% recommend it; it’s far more than just something to put on your CV.
Matthew Elsmore, Mechanical Engineering
It has provided an excellent insight into research and the day-to-day activity of a researcher. This project has given me an understanding of whether a PhD is right for me…I have learnt a huge range of practical skills from working in laboratory-using furnaces, microscopes, extruders and many more…Frequent meeting with supervisors have given me the opportunity to present my work - an extremely useful skill for employment and further study.
Discussing ‘cutting edge’ research with the leading academics every week is a fantastic opportunity for an undergraduate student and something I would fully recommend.
Ben Wilson, Mechanical Engineering
This taught me a lot, much more than that I can learn from a normal module.
Weiwei Xu, Environmental Engineering
This confirms my decision to apply for a postgraduate programme (either a masters or PhD) after graduating from Nottingham. The discussion with my supervisor and lab mates also gave me some ideas for my future career.
“It has been an amazing experience to work on an energy related project in the Energy Technologies Building on Jubilee Campus. This has given me a wonderful demonstration of what future building should be like.
Chen Chen, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Learning new content, presenting this information and applying the knowledge has been rewarding. I have also enjoyed working alongside and learning from high-performing academics and postgraduate students in a friendly research environment, as well as discussing areas of research they themselves are working on.
Joseph Dodgson, Civil Engineering
Having the support of my supervisor all the way through so whenever I got stuck somewhere they were there to help.
Leila Baha, Mechanical Engineering
The freedom and ability to research into what interested me most about the project.
Lara Rutter, Chemical Engineering
Handing in the completed file to my supervisor with a sense of accomplishment having achieved all the goals set for me.
Chris Walker, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
It was really good fun doing a cross discipline study that opened up new areas of interest and meant that I was placed outside my comfort zone and therefore learning new things all the time.
David Hull, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Being able to experience what life as an academic researcher was like.
Richard Lawrence, Chemical Engineering
Discovering new things that people do not already know and contributing to a bigger cause by doing a small piece of work.
Ruth Hoyland, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Being completely independent with arranging working hours and workload. It was very useful for time and work management skills.
Sam Miller, Mechanical Engineering
...Having the opportunity to socialise with colleagues.
Chima Udeh, Chemical Engineering