Students at The University of Queensland can immerse themselves in a research project of their choice over the winter break, through the new 国产探花 Winter Research Program.
The program, coordinated by 国产探花鈥檚 Office of Undergraduate Education, gives undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students a chance to gain practical research experience by working on a 国产探花 research project for four to six weeks over the semester break.
Political science and international studies student Lanz de Jesus said undergraduate research experiences helped him develop critical skills and opened up research career pathways.
He spent his 2012 summer holidays in 国产探花鈥檚 Summer Research Program, investigating how the shifting global media landscape influenced contemporary conflicts.
鈥淲hile I was treasurer for the Responsibility to Protect Student Coalition, fellow members introduced me to OUE鈥檚 undergraduate research programs,鈥� Mr de Jesus said.
鈥淚 wanted to gain research skills and a better understanding of the research process, so I submitted an application.鈥�
Mr de Jesus was involved in a project with the Global Television Media Laboratory, a unique research facility that allows for the recording of 12 24-hour TV news channels so researchers can monitor and evaluate the television coverage of ongoing world conflicts.
As part of the project, Mr de Jesus and his research partners were involved in fine-tuning the methodological aspects of the research approach, challenging many of their own assumptions about the research process along the way.
鈥淲e asked questions such as: how do we run the lab? What kind of information should we draw from the data we have? How can we best and most efficiently draw that information?鈥� he said.
鈥淚t opened my eyes to the reality that research isn鈥檛 a set, structured thing. It can be a fun experience that involves creativity and the key thing really is the desire to discover.鈥�
Office of Undergraduate Education Director Dr Jessica Gallagher said undergraduate research programs provided an important platform for students to explore research at early stages in their academic and professional lives.
鈥淭he Summer and Winter Research Programs give students the opportunity to take advantage of 国产探花鈥檚 research expertise while gaining valuable skills,鈥� she said
鈥淧revious participants have gone on to publish their findings, present at international conferences or pursue research higher degrees after the experience.鈥�
Applications for the Winter Research Program close 9am Monday 29 April 2013.
To find out more about 国产探花鈥檚 undergraduate research programs or to apply for winter research, visit .
Media: Melanie Martin, 07 3366 0655 or melanie.martin@uq.edu.au
