Could you mentor a sixth form EPQ student?

Coloma Convent Girls School in Croydon is seeking academics and PHD students willing to be mentor Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) students working on a project in a similar discipline.

This would involve:

• Giving about four hours of your time over a one year period
• Communicating with the student by email, advising on resources/how to plan their research
• Helping with any subject specific queries students have & critically evaluating their ideas

Background:

Coloma Girls’ School has an outstanding sixth form with high aspirations for all students, most of whom go on to undergraduate study. As part of their academic enrichment programme, they offer students the opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ.). This involves researching a topic of their choosing, analysing their findings and producing a 5000 word written report showing how they have used them to produce an evidenced conclusion. Previous candidates have completed projects on topics like the sustainability of climbing Mount Everest, the effectiveness of immunotherapy cancer treatments and the impact of the resurgence of the Taliban on Afghan women’s lives.  Several students discussed their projects at university interviews this year which shows that the knowledge and skills they developed are highly valued by admissions tutors.

The school is seeking PhD students and academics that would be willing to act as research mentors to their EPQ students working on a project in a similar discipline to their area of expertise. You will be required to communicate with their students by email, which could involve giving advice on resources, or on how to plan and frame a research project. You could also help with any subject specific queries students have and critically evaluate their ideas.  This will give researchers the opportunity to talk about their own research to a wider audience and enable students to learn more about the type of research they will be carrying out at university. The school would also welcome academics to the school if you were able to come and give a lecture or seminar about your research.

If you would like to volunteer as an EPQ mentor please email CommunityResearchHub@royalholloway.ac.uk with the following information:

• The faculty in which you work/study.
• Your particular research expertise.

 Timescale: ongoing

If you are interested in other Community Research projects, please have a look at our information page.