Imperial students go on summer research placements abroad

The welcome event for incoming students, held at 170 Queen's Gate

This month Imperial welcomed 40 incoming students temporarily joining the College as part of the International Summer Research Placement scheme.

The scheme also offers Imperial students the opportunity to undertake research in an international setting and this year 38 Imperial students are going to universities in five different countries, including Tsinghua University in China and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA. In previous years, Imperial students have worked in areas from experimental physics to aerodynamics.

The incoming students are undertaking research placements in 13 departments in the Faculties of Engineering and Natural Sciences. Emily Kazarinoff, a student from MIT, is doing a research placement in Imperial’s Department of Bioengineering. She said: “I’m working in the human robotics lab, designing a game for kids with cerebral palsy which will help with physio and cognitive rehab”. Miranda Johnston, also from MIT said: “I might want a career in biomaterials, and this is a great chance to find out more. I’ll definitely be able to translate the skills I learn working in the lab in my future studies.”

On hand to welcome visitors from the scheme at a welcome event on 8 July were Imperial students who had taken part in previous years. Nick Rome is a student in the Department of Maths at Imperial, and last summer did a research placement at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He said: “During my placement I was able to attend the weekly meeting in the Condensed Matter group where the PhD students talked about their progress. It was really interesting to get that kind of insight. And I really enjoyed being able to explore the local area with the other Imperial students visiting UBC.”

Professor Neil Alford, Vice Dean for Research

Professor Neil Alford, Vice Dean for Research in the Faculty of Engineering, said: “This scheme is a great opportunity, both for our students going abroad and for the students coming to Imperial. For young scientists, doing research in an international setting – possibly somewhere totally unfamiliar and different from their home university – is a very valuable experience. It offers the chance to make new connections and learn new techniques.”

The scheme is coordinated by the International Relations Office, and member of staff Laura Bulmer won a President’s Medal for her work supporting the scheme. She has led on the introduction of a programme of pre-departure trips and the welcome event, which have helped to smooth transitions and foster a sense of community among the visitors and their hosts.

Find out more about the scheme, including case studies of Imperial students’ experiences abroad