So, what is research volunteering?
- During your studies, you will have developed a myriad of research skills: critical thinking, reading widely and consolidating new information, managing data, presenting information, problem-solving
- Together with our charity partners, we've created volunteering opportunities where you can hone these research skills through engaging with real world problems
- While you can gain cross-sector experience, the charities receive valuable research and evaluation to back up their important work. It's a win-win!
How do I get involved?
- Submit an expression of interest to the organisation to get the ball rolling!
- Keep an eye on your emails because some organisations may require more details (e.g. letter of interest) before selecting students for the projects
- After an informal interview or chat, you’ll be onboarded and get started on the research in a small team of students
- We'll be in touch to check in and provide support throughout the process from cris@ucl.ac.uk. You can also reach out if you're having any issues or want advice
Research volunteering services
All projects vary, but you can expect them to take the shape of one of the below:
- Literature review
Developing best practice recommendations, scoping sector practice, scoping existing interventions, evidence gathering for decision making, synthesizing academic research.
- Qualitative research
Data collection + analysis with optional summary report.
Methods: Focus groups, interviews, ethnographic research, informal conversations, observations, survey creation and delivery, oral histories, collecting testimonies.
- Quantitative research
Data collection + analysis with optional summary report.
Methods: Statistical analysis, survey creation, geographical information services, using publicly available datasets, statistical modelling, developing databases, data cleaning.
- Analysing existing data with report
Cleaning, analysing, and synthesising quantitative or qualitative data with a report write up.
- Archiving or archival research with report
Sorting existing archival material, developing new archives, researching through existing archives.
- Evaluation design with no delivery
Developing a rigorous evaluation framework to measure impact of programmes or services.
- Report writing of existing analysed data
Case study development, contributing to impact reports, contributing to funding or grant reporting.
- Co-creation with stakeholders
Leading co-production workshops, co-creation activities, facilitating listening circles.
Our support
Get 1:1 support:
- Email us at cris@ucl.ac.uk
- Book in for 1:1 chat with our team at this link
- We can help you access resources and skills sessions to support your work
The organisation should provide you with:
- Onboarding and relevant trainings
- 1:1 mentorship and guidance
- Clear tasks
- An introduction to your fellow student researchers
Research volunteering is a rewarding way to extend your skills from classroom to community whilst making a positive impact. But we also know that being a student is hard, and that you may have particularly stressful periods in your course. Don’t be afraid to communicate this to your organisation and set boundaries around your studies.