Celebrating 20 years of Nuffield research placements

The evening provided an opportunity for the sixth-form students, their mentors and proud parents to review the wide range of science projects undertaken and celebrate their achievements.

Attending the event was University of Brighton Vice-Chancellor, Professor Debra Humphris, who said: “This has been a fantastic evening. I am delighted that the University of Brighton is able to support so many of these university student work placements. They are clearly a rewarding experience both for the students and the mentors who supported them. I am particularly proud of the students and the outstanding quality of work they have produced. It is fantastic to see our academic staff and colleagues from industry nurturing the next generation’s intellectual curiosity through challenging and innovative research projects.”

This year is a double celebration as the Nuffield Research Placement Scheme celebrates its twentieth birthday. The Nuffield Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1943 by William Morris, the founder of Morris Motors. The placements have now helped over 16,000 students from all backgrounds to experience authentic research in a real scientific environment.

During the course of this summer students took part in a diverse range of projects from investigating solar phenomena to investigating nanoparticles and their application in cancer therapy. 

Ben Ansell, from The Weald Community School and Sixth Form was placed at Deltex Medical. He was tasked with the design and construction of a model which could simulate blood flow for use when testing cardiac monitoring equipment. Speaking about his experience Ben, who like all the students gained many skills key to a range of STEM careers, said: “Before the project I’d done some basic design and model construction, but nothing on the same scale as this placement’s task. I was taught how to use a 3D printer and oscilloscopes and had the chance to design semi-complex circuits. Having to write a full-length report was also a totally new experience and one that will be very useful going into university.”

Acknowledging the commitment of time for students and hosts alike, Catherine Harris reflected on the standout moments of the placement based at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) this year: “It was especially rewarding to show them what being a researcher at NOC involves – from attending a conference session and engaging with industry, to watching robot demonstrations and touring one of our research ships, RRS Discovery.”

For those mentors that commit their time, the placements are an exciting and inspiring experience with a lasting impact. Catherine herself credits a Nuffield Placement she completed in her teens for her career today:  “My placement helped launch me from building simple Lego robots at college and university, to the huge underwater vehicles I now research and work with.”

Nuffield Research Placements are one of a number of activities organised by STEM Sussex, the outreach support department at the University of Brighton that works in partnership with employers and schools to enthuse and inspire young people about science, technology, engineering and maths.