Credit: Alex Wong.

By Alex Wong, Social Sciences BSc

Looking back, completing my undergraduate journey at University College London (UCL) was a most unique and fulfilling experience despite, or perhaps in addition to, being one of the lucky few to start tertiary education during the pandemic. Of the many memorable experiences I have had, one definitely stuck with me. During the summer before my final year at UCL, I had the wonderful opportunity to deep dive into academia beyond my programme diet by interning as a Research Assistant (RA) under Dr Katie Gaddini.

Dr Gaddini taught one of my core course modules during my second undergraduate year. Throughout the term, dissecting what good research is and being exposed to the multitudes of methods that are used in qualitative research increasingly motivated me to explore how the research process would look like ‘on the ground’ – the complexities behind brainstorming, data collection, analysis and write-up that did not make it onto the pages. 

Additionally, the political sociology classes I took further inspired me to explore some of Dr Gaddini’s publications on the intersections between religion and politics.

So, with a little courage, I reached out to her to share my interests in her research area as well as a rough idea: if I could take part in one of her current research activities. This marked the beginning of an exciting six-week journey.

Dr Gaddini very generously suggested that I could help with her ongoing research project as an RA. In our initial meeting, I learnt about the role I would play in her project, ‘The Politics of Religion.’ It was a steep yet highly rewarding learning curve, as I turned my attention to focus on how religion, specifically Evangelical Christianity, played a role in influencing people’s political beliefs in the United States. The experience was unforgettable, knowing that my contribution would work towards creating a more in-depth and nuanced understanding of the co-constitutive relationship between religion and politics globally. Being able to see in real time how the findings concur or challenge what I have previously discussed in my political sociology classes was an added bonus, further deepening my knowledge in the field during my internship.

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By Jianuo Vivian Yang and Yuvin Lawela Kim, Education Studies BA*

*From the 2024/2025 academic year onwards, the Education Studies BA has been renamed the Education, Society and Culture BA.

The Education, Practice and Society Undergraduate Research Fellowship (EPSURF) is a research opportunity for undergraduate students in the Department of Education, Practice and Society at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society. It gives students the chance to collaborate with a member of academic staff on an ongoing research project that interests them. (more…)

(Image source: wavebreak3 via Adobe Stock).

By Sakura Goto, Education Studies BA

*From the 2024/2025 academic year onwards, the Education Studies BA has been renamed the Education, Society and Culture BA.

Have you ever wondered if undergraduates on a three year course can get enough work experience before graduation?  The BA Education Studies has got this covered with a new module, the Education Studies Placement Module.

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