Public Engagement:
Sixth Form Summer Bursaries

Our work experience programme for young scientists is flourishing providing opportunities for students to experience contemporary research alongside scientific role models and gain insights into life-science careers. This is part of our strategy to raise interest in scientific careers and sustain a supply of future researchers for the UK.

In 2011, Javier Ash worked in Jon Housley's laboratory. After the awards evening Javier wrote to Jon saying "Firstly thank you for coming last night to see my project and presentation. It meant a lot to me for you to be there and also made me less nervous. Furthermore, I cannot say how amazing the time that I spent in your laboratory was and the amount of academic and practical skills that I learnt is incredible. The pure volume of Science I learnt was far superior to what I learn in college and I am extremely thankful to you and your team for spending the time teaching me these aspects. Moreover,  the whole team's hospitality and friendliness was unprecedented - I truly felt a full member of the team during my stay. I would really like to keep in touch, and if possible to keep updated on the progress of the investigation I worked on, if it is still being carried on. Thank you for an amazing experience and insight".

In 2006, four 6th formers awarded bursaries from the Nuffield Foundation worked in the Signalling Laboratory, where scientists are studying how cells communicate with each other to better understand medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure and cancer. In both 2007 and 2008, six recipients of Nuffield Bursaries undertook 4-week projects at the Babraham Research Campus, four in the Institute and 2 in companies on site and in 2009 we hosted four Nuffield Bursary students.

In 2010 Kate Champion, from Impington International Sixth Form, spent six weeks working with Prof. Michael Wakelam’s research group, funded by the Nuffield Foundation. After her placement, Kate said, "It has been inspiring to have this opportunity to experience what ‘Science’ is really like in the stimulating environment of The Babraham Institute. The enthusiasm of so many brilliant people who are passionate about their research has rubbed off on me. I feel my placement gave me a taste of both the wonderful process of discovery, and the frustration of experiments not as expected that fuels the desire to investigate further. It was been a transforming experience for me. Before doing my placement, I was planning on studying medicine, but the first hand experience of working in a laboratory setting has convinced me to pursue a career in biomedical research instead. The placement has put into context what I have learned at sixth form, and I have returning to college with a renewed enthusiasm for my studies. I’m so glad that I had this opportunity; I could not have spent my summer in a better way".

At the 2009 Nuffield Bursary presentation ceremony, Hannah Stuart, 18, a Nuffield Bursary student in 2008, was invited back as a guest speaker. Hannah completed a gold CREST aware and was awarded national prizes for her research project at the Babraham Institute. As a finalist at the Big Bang – the UK Young Science and Engineers Fair in 2009 – Hannah won one prize, to present her research at an EU competition for young scientists in Paris in March. Her second award was an opportunity of a life-time, to undertake a research project in Borneo with the Royal Society in summer 2009.

She said, “My Nuffield placement allowed me to gain invaluable hands-on experience in lab work and develop a deeper insight into an exciting scientific field. Returning to Babraham again this summer has cemented my desire to pursue a research career.”

Dr Simon Rudge, Hannah’s supervisor at Babraham explained, “This scheme is very useful, not only because it ensures that new ideas & experiments are explored in our lab, but I personally enjoy mentoring young scientists and providing them with an opportunity to develop their enthusiasm for research science.”

Hannah is now in her second year studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and set on a research career.

Information about Undergraduate Bursaries can be found in the 'Students' pages of our website.