Case study demonstrating practice in a institution in Wales to strengthen links between research and teaching.
The Cardiff Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (CUROP) has been a central University initiative since 2007. Approximately 30 students a year are involved.
The CUROP programme provides funding for undergraduates to participate in staff-led research projects during the summer vacation. The goal is to give students a taste of real ‘live’ research make genuine contributions to knowledge and experience academic dissemination activity. Past projects have included: Geophysics and landslide monitoring contributing to a database of Victorian illustration and an oral history of Muslim migrants to South Wales.
All disciplines are eligible. Staff formulate project proposals that will need to demonstrate that there is a clear and meaningful contribution that a student can make and that the student will receive appropriate supervision. Proposals are evaluated by a panel consisting of the PVCs for Research and Learning and Teaching along with other members of the Learning and Teaching Committee and student sabbatical officers. Student recruitment to projects (generally students between their second and third years) is the responsibility of project supervisors.
