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WRAP

WRAP (Winchester Research Apprenticeship Programme) 

Initially funded in 2008-09 as a project in the Faculty of Arts, WRAP provides an opportunity for students to work with academics on a ‘placement’, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the ways academics conduct research and to become actively involved in some of the activities underlying research, such as bid preparation, literature search and data collection.

The success of the first phase led to subsequent WRAP programmes run across all the faculties in the summers of 2010 and 2011. In 2009-10, projects ranged from 'The Archaeology of Old Age' to 'An investigation into representations of the psychopath in contemporary Britain' and from 'Human colour discrimination using spectrally complex lights' to 'Developing ethical leaders: an opportunity for an empirical study'.

Dr Stephanie Spencer, Head of Research in the Faculty of Education, Health and Social Care commented: "I enjoyed the project we did with our student and I hope we will be publishing part of the work in the History of Education Researcher next year. The WRAP project offers students an opportunity to consider taking their studies to the next level and to begin working with potential Master's or MPhil/PhD supervisors."

A student working with Carol Smith, Head of Learning and Teaching in the Faculty of Arts, said: "I was keen to see if I would enjoy the more rigorous nature of academic research, and I did. I loved it. It is an experience I will be eternally grateful for having had and one that has convinced me that this is a line of work I would like to pursue. It is like detective work with the delicious, added element of intellectual satisfaction."

The scheme has already been recognised externally as a model of good practice in developing undergraduate research skills. “Students gain much from the experience of working closely alongside an academic on a real research project, learn vital organisational, analytical and information skills, and witness the real excitement of first-hand involvement in academic research”, commented Professor Kris Spelman Miller, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, who led the introduction of WRAP.

Professor Kris Spelman Miller, left, with Dr Vanessa Harbour, one of the Research Informed Teaching Officers administering the scheme.