Junior Research Institute | University of Bedfordshire

Immersing Students in a Professional and Stimulating Research Environment

Organising Team: Dr Melanie Pitchford, Dr Anastasia Giannakopoulou, Dr Faye Powell and Joanna McGrattan.

The JRI supports research activity for undergraduate students in the School of Psychology, University of Bedfordshire. It organises research schemes and various other initiatives and activities for Psychology students, both as part of their undergraduate course as well as co-curricular activities that are research oriented. The JRI are previous winners of the Vice chancellors coveted ‘Research Impact of the Year’ Award, which recognised the impact of the JRI on student experience and the vibrant research culture of the School.

Student Research Assistant Scheme

The Student Research Assistant Scheme is offered to undergraduate 2^nd year students and involves working closely with a member of Staff within the School of Psychology Department on a Research Project. The scheme is different to the third year dissertation but by working with staff in this way students are able to improve their research skills, experience the work involved with being a researcher, and become more familiar with a particular area of psychology.

Skills gained as a research assistant during the project are invaluable when seeking employment after completion of their degree. The scheme is entirely voluntary, taking part does not bear credit towards any part of a student’s Psychology Degree, and has a limited number of places which are very competitive.

Participants of the scheme give positive feedback:

"The scheme gave me a real confidence boost and will prove extremely valuable on my CV"

"The Student Research Assistant Scheme helped me begin thinking practically about my dissertation and made it seem less daunting."

"An enjoyable experience with good application to the course."

"This scheme has helped me with other assignments throughout my second year"

"The Student Research Assistant Scheme helped me gain confidence for my dissertation next year"

"Giving up two hours of free time a week was worth the information I gained"

This year's projects

Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference

The JRI also organises the annual Psychology Undergraduate Conference for final year students. The conference includes a keynote speaker and student oral presentations, as well as a research poster exhibition, a competition and more. This is a really exciting opportunity for students to demonstrate the skills they acquired and developed throughout their undergraduate course, and celebrate the end of the degree by showcasing their dissertation projects.