How can I engage?
Get a group of students to support you with your data, evaluation or research needs through the Research Volunteering programme
This service is open all year round. Book in with our team to find out more!
- How does it work?
Students work in small teams to undertake research as volunteers, through the UCL SU volunteering programme. Read more about what services our students can offer here.
- What's the timeline and commitment?
These projects run for 2-3 months and happen at any time of the year.
- Choose this option if...
You only need a single research, evaluation or data processing task completed OR you have a project that needs to be done ASAP.
- What's the first step?
You'll need to meet with our student research consultants to develop a project proposal before recruiting students. See our upcoming events to book into our next in-person clinic.
Collaborate with a master's student on a piece of academic research through our Engaged Dissertation programme
Research submissions for the 25-26 academic year are now closed.
- How does it work?
As part of their master's degree, students work with voluntary, community and non-profit organisations to design and carry out research that addresses a real problem identified by those organisations.
- What's the timeline and commitment?
September-February: Meet with students to see if they're the right fit for your projects.
February-April: Attend one of our induction sessions with your partner student in February or March and establish your ways of working together.
April-September: Student conducts research. Organisations will have regular touch points with the student throughout the project (weekly or monthly).
September: Students produce a Community Product on a voluntary basis after submission (usually in September but extenuating circumstances may delay this). The timeline for delivering this product will be agreed between you and the student.
- Choose this option if...
You need a start to finish research project including design, data collection, analysis and write up. OR you want a rigorous and academic piece of research. OR you want student input on research design and methodologies.
- What's the first step?
We have concluded taking research proposals for the 25-26 academic year. However, if you would like to indicate your interest to our team email [email protected] to let us know about your idea...we may just have a student looking for the same thing!
Both routes enable you to:
- Work with our dedicated team to form a research brief(s) which meet your needs and priorities
- Use student expertise to answer problems, assess existing practices and advance capacities
- Receive bespoke outputs with a summary of research findings and actionable steps
- Access mentoring and support from the UCL SU Student Social Impact team
What kinds of outputs come from research projects?
Across all projects, students work with organisations to produce a range of useful and usable outputs. Here are few common options:
- Database (new data or synthesis of existing data)
- Webinar sharing technical information with a Q&A session
- Executive summary reports
- Social media posts
- Scoping review, with reading/reference list
- Contributions to funding applications
- Departmental presentations
- Presentations to Trustees
- Workshop for stakeholders or employees
How does it work?
Step 1: Book in with our team to discuss your needs, wants and ideas.
Step 2: Recruit a student through our website platform.
Step 3: Start your research partnership.
Step 4: Reap the rewards!