My Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) project

During the second year of my biology degree, I applied for a 6-week summer research project under the Think Ahead: SURE Scheme. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in research but I had little experience, and this scheme was unique in offering direct and potentially paid research experience that was relevant to my interests.

I applied for the project: ‘How does rainfall affect the internal microclimate of long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) nests?’. This project appealed to me primarily because of its relevance to my personal interest in bird behaviour, and I was lucky enough to be accepted.

With the help of my supervisors, I also applied for and was awarded funding by SURE 301, which gave me insight into the process of applying for external stipends.

The experience of working on a piece of real research, relevant to my interests, and where I was able to attend lab group meetings, socialise with other researchers, and build on my report writing and presentation skills, was fundamental to shaping my career goals.

Katherine Assersohn

BSc Biomedical Science

I worked alongside my supervisors Caitlin Higgott and Professor Ben Hatchwell to carry out nest insulation quality experiments on the complex nests of long-tailed tits. Contrary to our predictions, we found that rainfall has no effect on nest insulation quality, suggesting that these birds build nests that can buffer their internal microclimate against external conditions.

I presented these results at the SURE presentation day in August 2017, where I was fortunate enough to win the prize for ‘Best Talk’. The experience of presenting my work was one I value immensely, and was fundamental in increasing my confidence and motivating me to apply for other opportunities that would have intimidated me before. For example, I also applied and was accepted to present a poster at the British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR) in April 2018.

The support and encouragement from my supervisors gave me the confidence to make the most of this experience

Katherine Assersohn

BSc Biomedical Science

In February 2018, I presented my poster at the SURE showcase, and was lucky enough to win the prize for ‘Best Poster Dissemination’.

The experience of working on a piece of real research, relevant to my interests, and where I was able to attend lab group meetings, socialise with other researchers, and build on my report writing and presentation skills, was fundamental to shaping my career goals.

Furthermore, the support and encouragement from my supervisors gave me the confidence to make the most of this experience. They also helped me to build on skills I learnt during my degree, as well as teaching me new and invaluable skills that have helped prepare me for a life in research.

I would highly recommend Think Ahead: SURE, especially to anybody considering a career in research.