4 - 8 August 2025

Course details

An add-on programme for summer school students

This week is dedicated to developing essential research skills that will allow you to successfully start a research project and learn about the research environment.  You will learn what working in research means, the challenges involved and be able to develop key skills like collaboration in international settings, building a research plan and communicating effectively. The week will include lectures by prominent researchers and skills developers, as well as practical hands-on activities to develop your personal and groupwork skills.

By staying on for the Research Skills Accelerator, you’ll gain a distinct advantage by mastering the research skills that are crucial for academic excellence and career advancement. This additional week provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the process of research planning, data management, and collaboration within diverse international teams. You’ll learn from leading experts, refine your presentation skills, and receive constructive feedback to enhance your work. By participating in this programme, you’ll not only enhance your summer school experience but also lay a solid foundation for future research projects, gaining invaluable experience that will set you apart in your academic and professional journey.

Topics covered include:

  • Anatomy of research: purpose, methods, challenges, and impact
  • Building a research plan
  • Collaboration, negotiation, and communication within diverse, international teams
  • Team role assessments
  • Searching, using, and managing research data
  • Tools for data management, including reference management software
  • Open Research, Open Access, and publication metrics
  • Academic writing and publication processes
  • Presentation skills, including poster and PowerPoint creation
  • Communicating and disseminating research effectively
  • Delivering and receiving constructive feedback on research presentations

More information

Programme structures & format

30 contact hours over five days covering lectures, hands on activities and group workshops.   

The entire programme will be taught in English.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this summer school, students will be able to:

  • Develop a structured research plan, addressing key challenges and the impact of research.
  • Collaborate effectively in diverse, international teams, demonstrating strong communication and negotiation skills.
  • Apply tools and techniques for searching, managing, and analysing research data.
  • Utilise software and resources such as reference management tools, Open Research, and publication metrics.
  • Communicate research findings effectively through academic writing, presentations, and visual materials like posters.
  • Critically evaluate and provide constructive feedback on research projects.
  • Reflect on lessons learned to enhance their approach to independent and collaborative research.
Team learning through in-class group work

Students will work in small, diverse teams on activities like research planning, diagnostic assessments data management, and presentations. Through collaboration, they will develop skills in communication, negotiation, and problem-solving, with regular peer feedback and discussions to reflect and refine their work in a supportive environment.

Target audience and approach to teaching

This research skills development programme adopts an interactive and hands-on approach, combining structured sessions with practical activities to foster essential skills for undergraduate students. Through workshops, group activities, and plenary discussions, students engage with key aspects of research, including planning, collaboration, data management, and dissemination.

The programme emphasises teamwork in diverse, international settings and integrates diagnostic tools, such as team role assessments, to strengthen collaboration and communication skills. Designed for undergraduate students with an interest in developing their research abilities, this summer school add-on offers a supportive environment to learn, practice, and present research projects, culminating in peer and expert feedback sessions.

Teaching Faculty

Dr Magdalena Jara, PhD, SFHEA

Principal Teaching Fellow and Head of Pedagogy
Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI)

Coordinates the professional development programme for early career researchers, evaluating course material and working with tutors. She also leads and teaches on the Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) Programme.

The programme will be taught by teaching faculty from the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) of Imperial College London.

The Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI)

Established in October 2024, the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) brought together the former Graduate School and Postdoc and Fellows Development Centre to create a single institute  to support all early career researchers (postgraduate research students through to Postdocs and Fellows) and those who support them. 

ECRI aims to create a collaborative and dynamic research environment that drives discovery and addresses the urgent challenges of the 21st century.  The institute will support Imperial in creating a healthy, supportive and productive research environment for early career researchers.  It will invest in research and enterprise-focused learning and development opportunities, resources and facilities to deliver an exceptional experience.  

Entry requirements

Students expectation :

  • Studying an undergraduate degree and preferably in the final two years in:
    • Any subject discipline
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old before the start of the summer school.
  • All students are required to have a good command of English, and if it is not their first language, they will need to satisfy the College requirement as follows:
    • a minimum score of IELTS (Academic Test) 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.0 in any element) or equivalent.
    • TOEFL (iBT) 92 overall (minimum 20 in all elements)
  • Students will be asked to bring along a laptop computer for project work.
Certification

Students will receive a Imperial College London certificate of attendance on successful completion of this programme.