Research forum has global focus

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The annual Universitas 21 Undergraduate Research Conference will discuss this year’s theme – Future Societies, Global Citizens.

Some 73 students will consider the challenges facing societies worldwide and discuss how internationally-minded students can become global citizens.

During the conference, students will have the opportunity to share their research on a diverse range of topics.

The programme will be complemented by events that explore Scotland’s political and cultural heritage. These include tours of Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament and a ceilidh.

The conference runs from 26 – 30 June. Events are organised in collaboration with Edinburgh’s Global Academies, which tackle global environmental challenges through teaching, research and outreach.

Universitas 21 is a network of 25 worldwide, research-intensive universities who work together on shared issues of importance to the higher education sector.

International experiences

Students from 21 institutions will take part in global activities over the summer, working with local communities and businesses in South Africa and Ecuador.

Undergraduates from the Universities of Edinburgh, Melbourne, Queensland and Birmingham and the National University of Singapore will travel to Ecuador to take part in the Social Entrepreneur Corps. The programme is administered by the University of Connecticut.

They will work with professionals and social entrepreneurs in rural locations to grow locally supported businesses. The students will live with local families and develop their Spanish language skills.

Students from Edinburgh, University College Dublin, Tec de Monterrey and the National University of Singapore will travel to South Africa to participate in the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Summer School.

The group will work with the Department of Jewellery Design at UJ and leading South African fashion designers. At the end of the three-week course - Fabricating Design Spaces - they will have an opportunity to exhibit their creations.

The U21 Undergraduate Research Conference provides a unique occasion for students to share their work and become involved in challenging and creative projects.

Professor Bairbre Redmond