UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH NEWS AUSTRALIA Issue 8 • May 2014

There will be a conference session designed for staff in the morning of Friday 18th September. Conference registration is now open and submis- sion of abstracts will open from Monday 2nd The Australasian Conference The ACUR 2014 Conference Organising Com- June 2014. The deadline for submissions is the 1st of Undergraduate Research, mittee will guarantee two places for each July. A team of academic staff, graduate and un- institution so now is the time to encourage dergraduate students will review abstracts and ACUR 2014, will be here your students to participate or, if you are a provide feedback to authors. Authors will be ad- before we know it. student, to talk to your lecturers and educa- vised by 21st July whether their submission has tion and research leaders about sponsorship Paula Newitt, Chair, ACUR 2014, Australian been accepted as a presentation or as a poster. to attend and participate in the conference. National University Of course, ACUR 2014 will be delighted to ACUR 2014 is delighted to advise that prizes will The upcoming annual conference will be held receive submissions from all interested and again be awarded in recognition of outstanding this year at the Australian National University, eligible students in addition to these guaran- student contributions. These include a $1000 Canberra, Australia over 18/19 September teed places. We hope that ACUR 2014 will be prize for the Best Presentation and Paper (donat- 2014 and it is shaping up to be another exciting able to proudly proclaim the value and inspi- ed by Professor Adrian Lee) and a $500 prize for celebration of student research activity. ration embedded in undergraduate research the Best Poster (donated by the Higher Education September in Canberra is a combination of crisp experiences in institutions right across Aus- Research and Development Society of Australa- tralasia. Don’t let your institution be the one sia, HERDSA). that is absent! ACUR 2014 welcomes donations and suggestions for sponsorship to ensure the conference will be The program for the conference will continue to an inspiring experience for all participants and to be updated on the conference website (www. enable student attendance. acur.org.au) over the next couple of months. In brief though, the conference will be held over Please contact us at [email protected] regarding 18/19 September 2014 with a registration sponsorship or donations or queries about Post- early mornings with stunning blue skies leading fee of $125. The fee will cover both days of the ers in Parliament to beautiful sunny days. Stay on after the confer- conference and the social event on the evening of Looking forward to meeting you at ACUR 2014! ence and visit Floriade (http://www.floriadeaus- Thursday 18th September. tralia.com) over the weekend or catch up on the nightlife (yes, it does exist!) before going to the inaugural Posters in Parliament event on Monday 22nd September (see article elsewhere in URNA). The ACUR 2014 Conference Organising Commit- tee is working to attract undergraduate student contributions (oral presentations or posters) from across the widest possible range of disci- plines and from students representing all tertiary education institutions across Australia and New Zealand. Traditionally STEM disciplines and arts and social sciences are well represented in such conferences but ACUR 2014 is also keen to encourage students in, for example, music, arts, design, etc. to illustrate approaches to research in these and other disciplines. some of the prize winners from ACUR 2013

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Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at How to wake up the Mural Hall of Parliament House, Canberra on Introducing ACUR: 22nd September 2014. It is organised to coordi- the government to nate with the ACUR conference and is scheduled The organisation for undergraduate research! during a parliamentary sitting date to enable the Australasian Conferences of Angela Brew and Lilia Mantai, Macquarie University maximum number of MPs to attend as well as Undergraduate Research key higher education leaders. Students will be Recent developments in the media and the Angela Brew, Macquarie University Australian federal budget give no cause to be asked to explain their posters to interested indi- viduals and groups. ACUR has been established to ensure that an enthusiastic about higher education in the fu- Australasian Conference of Undergraduate Re- ture. Yet in most institutions in Australia and Posters in Parliament will raise the profile of search is held each year in different universities New Zealand, wonderful research work is being undergraduate research nationally through the on an ongoing basis. ACUR aims to build on done by undergraduate students as part of their publicity it will generate as well as the event the highly successful Australasian Undergradu- coursework or in the growing number of re- itself. The exhibition mirrors developments in- ate Research Conferences convened in 2012 search internships and scholarships now avail- ternationally in presenting high quality under- and 2013 at Macquarie University. You can able to them. Students are increasingly demand- graduate research to members of parliament, find a snapshot of these events athttp://www. ing a higher education that prepares them for e.g. Posters on the Hill is held in the US Congress mq.edu.au/ltc/altc/ug_research/events.htm. the kind of challenges that they encounter when annually and ‘Posters in Parliament’ has been The next conference will be held at the Austral- taking on a research project: the challenges held in the UK as a way of raising its profile, at- ian National University, Canberra on 18th-19th of investigation, of making judgements about tracting publicity and support at a national level. September 2014 (see above). ACUR also plans to observed phenomena; the challenge of making hold a Posters in Parliament exhibition of under- Students will submit ABSTRACTS to the ACUR decisions in the face of incomplete evidence; the graduate students’ research work from time to 2014 Conference Committee (see www.acur.org. challenges of teamwork and collaboration and of time. Further details of this are also above. writing. In other words, the challenges they will au for how to do this). Deadline for submissions face no matter what profession they follow after is 1st July. After students have been notified ACUR has been established through SEED project graduation. In short, the challenges of discovery! that their abstracts have been acceptewd they funding from the Office for Learning and Teaching will prepare posters for the conference. Each in- (OLT). The project team is led by Professor Angela Higher education tends to be presented in the stitution will then choose the best poster from Brew (Macquarie University); Associate Professor media as a cost to society, not as an enrichment among those submitted by their students to Jenna Mead (University of ); of society. So how can politicians, the media and form the Posters in Parliament exhibition. Post- Dr Paula Newitt (Australian National University); society be woken up to the excellent work that ers in Parliament 2014 is funded by the Office of Professor Rachel Spronken-Smith (University of students are doing? Learning and Teaching and Macquarie University. Otago, NZ) and Professor Stuart Hampton-Reeves The answer is an event called Posters in Parlia- If you would like to know more, find out how you (University of Central Lancaster, UK). can be involved or provide financial support for ment. This is an exhibition and celebration of The team has established an International Steer- undergraduate student research to be held in students to attend, please contact us on ACUR@ mq.edu.au ing Group consisting of individuals who have influence in their institutions in terms of gaining support for undergraduates to attend and pre- sent at ACUR conferences as well as individuals who are researching or leading significant pro- jects to engage undergraduates in research and inquiry. Currently, 28 Australian and 4 New Zea- land universities are represented on the Steer- ing Group as well as 13 other organisations and universities worldwide. This Steering Group will be the main decision-making body in respect of future Australasian Undergraduate Research Conferences. UK Posters in Parliament 2014

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Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at Macquarie University The Steering Group led by the project team has ing, providing guidance to conference hosts, spective institutions. The group communicates been working to establish criteria and guidelines ensuring the quality of conferences, assisting through electronic means but may meet at con- for conferences, and calling for expressions of in- conference hosts in gaining sponsorship and in ferences. Its documentation and a list of Steering terest for future conferences. The Steering Group publicising ACUR. Steering Group members are Group members will shortly be available on the will responsible for making decisions about host- also spreading information throughout their re- ACUR website at www.ACUR.org.au

Merit Scholars Research Scholarships Clare Larandine, Macquarie University

The number of Undergraduate Research Scholarships offered at the research of the university. The Scholarships are designed to en- Macquarie University has grown every year and this year the Mac- able Merit Scholars to share in building the intellectual climate of quarie Merit Scholars Program expanded its offering of research Macquarie University. Many of these top students have an interest scholarships to now also include twelve $2600 tax free Merit in undertaking higher degree research or are simply very passion- Scholar Research Scholarships. These scholarships were offered ate about their area of study. exclusively to Merit Scholars and holders will also receive funding At the beginning of the year each Faculty was asked to nominate to cover travel costs associated with attending the Australasian projects that would like to take on an undergraduate researcher. Conference of Undergraduate Research. Merit Scholars were able to apply for any number of projects that- The Merit Scholars Research Scholarships provide opportunities for they were interested in, including those outside their own Facultyor Macquarie’s highest achieving undergraduates to gain experience field of study. as a researcher working alongside academics and contributing to

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Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at Macquarie University Macquarie University hosted Supporting the development the launch of the “Opening of undergraduate identity in Real Science” initiative. research-led education Second year Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Dierdre Pearce and Simon Mulvaney, Education (Primary) Merit Scholar Katherine Student Experience and Transition Team, Division of Broadway secured a scholarship to work on the Merit Scholar student Belinda Kwok (second from right) Student Services, Australian National University “Opening real science: Authentic mathematics and her supervisor Dr Kimiko Tsukada with visiting We’re exploring ways of supporting students academics from Colgate University, USA at a Macquarie and science education for Australia” initiative as they develop a research identity during their which has $2.3 million in funding from the Aus- University Faculty of Arts Visiting Research Fellowship sponsored workshop. years as undergraduate students at the Austral- tralian Government through the Office for Learn- ian National University. While many students ship initiative allows me this benefit alongside the ing and Teaching. come to ANU intent on engaging in research as chance to accomplish tasks that I would otherwise early as possible, many are unsure of what this Katherine said: “The opportunity to work on scarcely have time for, allowing projects to flour- entails in practice, particularly within the ap- the Opening Real Science project is proving to be ish where they might otherwise have faltered. Add parent confines of an undergraduate degree even better than I dreamed it would be. Initially to that the value of being able to pass on research program. Is research only available in later year I thought my role as a research assistant would skills to the next generation of scientists, and you courses, or in research-intensive programs? Is it probably involve doing the tasks that no one else have a scheme of great benefit to staff and stu- relevant to students who don’t intend to continue really wanted to do. Instead I am being offered the dents alike.” opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in to postgraduate study? How do students identify report writing and research instrument design with Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences Merit research opportunities in course outlines and the goal of becoming published. My supervisor As- Scholar Belinda Kwok is looking forward to start- what benefits does research bring to a students’ sociate Professor, Joanne Mulligan, is keen to make ing her Masters of Clinical Audiology program in university experience? 2015. Currently in her final year of undergradu- sure I receive as much mutual benefit from my The Undergraduate Researcher is a new publi- ate study Belinda has secured a scholarship to placement as possible. I could not be more grate- cation that is part of our strategy for exploring research how speakers from different language ful for the opportunity to work on such an exciting undergraduate research identity and making backgrounds perceive speech sounds. The results project with such a passionate team.” undergraduate research activities more visible. will be useful for improving our current under- Published online, its format is closer to a blog Dr Kevin Brooks from the Department of Psychol- standing of speech communication and have than a static webpage and its tone is closer to ogy is working with third year Bachelor of Psy- implications for foreign language pedagogy. chology (Honours) student Daniel Sturman on his a magazine than a promotional brochure. It project “Perception and Neural Coding of Race”. The Merit Scholar Research Scholarships initiative has intends to create a sense of an undergraduate been warmly welcomed by students and academic research community, focusing on profiles of stu- staff alike. One academic staff member described the dents’ research experiences, tips, better access to initiative as “a genuine pathway for our best students research opportunities, and ways of engaging in to engage with cutting edge research”. the intellectual life of the university community. The Macquarie Merit Scholars Program offers a From the beginning the Undergraduate Re- wide range and volume of exclusive opportuni- searcher is intended to have a strong student ties and experiences for Macquarie University’s voice and students have been central to the highest achieving undergraduate students. The publication since it was launched in March 2014. Dr Brooks said “For me, it is one of the genuine program includes workshops, research scholar- For example, we focus on research opportunities pleasures of academic life to mentor a gifted and ships, social and networking events, academic in undergraduate courses through interviews of engaged student. If I ever find my enthusiasm mentoring and international travel opportunities. students and their lecturers by student reporters and have scheduled conference reports written waning, it is immediately reignited by young re- Our aim is to help Merit Scholars to develop into searchers with inquisitive minds, who can often by students returning from conferences during well-rounded students who have the greatest the year. Besides these we’re drawing together provide a fresh perspective to an established line chance of success following graduation. of research. The Merit Scholars Research Scholar- the research-related awards, conferences and

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Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at Macquarie University Dr Mary Kilcline Cody is an historian of Southeast Asia and an inaugural Tuckwell Fellow. In her office in the of Asia and the Pacific, there’s classical music and a tea-set and you’ll be startled by a large cockatoo and two parrots clawing for food at the window. Mary is an historian who writes poetry, a linguist and a former bureaucrat who likes music and painting, and an academic innovator who developed the equally eclectic Vice Chancellor’s Creating Knowledge course. So what’s special about Creating Knowledge? Well, something amazing happens

Dr Mary Kilcline-Cody . Photo courtesy: ANU Media when you bring students and researchers together. So far, CK students have pro- duced some really innovative work. Some have researched and published their other opportunities that can be difficult to keep track of. Another series of articles promotes assignments, created and performed an overture, painted a landscape, designed ‘Brain Food’; these mostly consist of co-curric- and produced a management manual, created teaching materials for secondary ular events and activities organised by student school students, written poems, a graphic novel, and so much more. groups that engage with issues, ideas, creativ- Past student Pilbeam was even part of a group to “perform a rap in class to ity or other contributions to the wider university the tune of Ridin’ Dirty. Then we got together and made a Youtube video of it. We culture. Most are open to both staff and students and encourage greater informal interactions out- felt really supported by our lecturer/ side the lecture theatre. tutor and classmates to just put our- selves out there and do it.” To finish this short article, we’d like to give you a taste of the Undergraduate Researcher. Here It’s all about seeing things from is a copy of an article written by Simon, who is new perspectives and then backing a third year student enrolled in a B. Interdiscipli- yourself to have a go. Mary says: nary Studies when not acting as roving reporter. “I want to create an environment First published on the 27th of March this year, where students gain the confidence the article is the result of interviews he con- to pursue what interests them.” ducted with a student and a staff member in- That’s the basis for creative, innova- volved in the Vice-Chancellor’s course Creating tive research. Knowledge. Victoria Pilbeam. Photo courtesy: Victoria Pilbeam

If you would like to know more about the Undergraduate Researcher or other co-curricular strategies we’re developing to support undergraduate research at ANU please contact us through [email protected].

Undergraduate Research ate research amongst its substantial cohort, and substantial funding to this initiative, allowing in recent years has introduced several schemes interested undergraduate students to engage in Support in Macquarie aimed at providing opportunities for commit- a research project under the guidance of a staff University’s Psychology ted students to gain experience and training in mentor. Department scientific research. Perhaps the most success- ful of these is the highly successful Psychology This scheme is competitive from the perspective Kevin Brooks, Macquarie University Research Internship Scheme, which established both of the student and of the staff mentor. In- Macquarie University’s Psychology Department a model that is now being emulated across the terested staff members submit research propos- has a proud history of support for undergradu- university. In 2009, the Department committed als, including a description of the project, the du- ties involved, a timetable for the work, and the

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Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at Macquarie University expected learning outcomes for the student. The knowledging the benefit of the experience, and their submitted abstract, and the support of their departmental research committee is tasked with citing its value in encouraging them to pursue supervisor to be eligible. The application process assessing these proposals for their suitability for further research opportunities such as Masters also serves a function as training in the process undergraduate involvement, with members of and PhD studies. As ACUR has been a “home” of grant writing, as the applicant is required to staff who have not recently been involved in the event for Macquarie undergrads in 2012 and specify a budget for their costs, and to justify scheme given preference. Students are invited to 2013, students needed only encouragement (not their request in terms of the anticipated benefits apply for an internship with the list of approved to mention plenty of hard work) to attend the of ACUR attendance. projects in mind, and the ability to specify their conference. However, 2014 sees ACUR mature preferred project. The applications of eligible ap- as an annual event, beginning its journey around At a time when funds are continually being plicants are given to successful staff applicants, Australasia with a move to ANU in Canberra. squeezed, schemes such as these may appear who make their selections and arrange a meet- to be easy targets for cuts. Yet given their high ing to begin the mentoring process, which will In an effort to encourage continued patronage educational benefit, their value to staff and their involve between 50 and 100 hours of paid work. by students from Macquarie’s Psychology De- potential to encourage enrolment in postgradu- Now in its 6th year, this initiative has continued partment despite the increased costs associated ate programmes, they represent excellent value to be highly popular with staff and students alike. with inter-state travel, this year we are proud to for money. In these respects they have been The scheme attracts a large number of applicants announce the creation of a number of travel bur- extraordinarily successful for Macquarie Univer- and feedback from both interns and their men- saries to support student delegates. The Psychol- sity’s Department of Psychology, and we would tors indicates positive outcomes for all. ogy Undergraduate Conference Travel Scheme heartily encourage other departments, faculties (PUCTS) provides grants of up to $500 on a and universities to offer similar opportunities to Macquarie Psychology Interns have been well competitive basis, helping to cover registration students and staff. represented at the Australian Conference of Un- fees, travel costs and accommodation expenses. dergraduate Research (ACUR), unanimously ac- Applicants need to have confirmed acceptance of

Undergraduate Research and mentor-based group work form the basis of A review of existing literature in this field un- the research proposal with students working in covered dispersed information pertaining to the into Lymphoma Associated small groups of 5-6 individuals and assigned an effect of different parameters relating to hyper- Hypercalcaemia independent supervisor. calcaemia and their association with lymphoma Andrea Coster, Kathryn Knights & Kate Roberts, in dogs. A comprehensive survey of the research As students with a keen interest in small animal spectrum was instigated and research was con- clinical medicine we were instantly attracted to James Cook University has developed a reputa- ducted in areas such as physiology of calcium the topic of hypercalcaemia in lymphoma dogs. metabolism and homeostasis, measuring cal- tion as one of Australia’s leading tropical research Hypercalcaemia of malignancy in the domestic universities through its ability to establish pro- cium levels in the domestic dog, techniques on dog is a common occurrence observed in veteri- lymphoma diagnosis and staging, and typing ficient skills and knowledge in its research can- nary clinics worldwide. Knowledge of this topic didates. As part of the course requirements for of lymphoma using immunophenotyping. In however, has not being extensively collaborated several studies conducted by Elliott, Dobson & the Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook to develop useful practical implementation. University , undergraduate students Dunn (1991), Bienzle, Jacobs & Lumsden (1993) Neoplasia, and in particular lymphoma is recog- and Uehlinger, Glaus & Hauser (1998) a causative are expected to develop skills in undertaking nised as the principle cause of hypercalcaemia in research, critically evaluating current literature link was recognised between hypercalcaemia dogs. The causation of hypercalcaemia includes and lymphoma, with neoplasia being associ- and analysing and interpreting data. At the be- a number of pathological disorders including ginning of their third year of study, veterinary sci- ated in 50% of hypercalcaemia patients. Further hypoadrenocorticism, primary hyperparathy- research completed by Messinger, Windham & ence students are required to formulate a paper- roidism, renal failure, granulomatous diseases, based research model. This opportunity provides Ward (2009) indicated that in dogs diagnosed vitamin D intoxication, and non-malignant with hypercalcaemia of malignancy, 78% were students with fundamental skills in research skeletal lesions. With this knowledge we can planning and proposal whilst allowing them specifically diagnosed with lymphoma. Studies fully investigate cases of hypercalcaemia and correlating hypercalcaemia with malignancy by to contribute to new and exciting areas in their the implications for animal health and treatment chosen field of study. Professional development Rosol and Capen (2000) agreed that there was protocols. an association between an increased ionized

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Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at Macquarie University calcium concentration in serum and the percent- cerns were investigated and propositioned. Al- References age of animals diagnosed with lymphoma with though time constraints of the degree curriculum Bienzle, D., Jacobs, R. M., & Lumsden, J. H. (1993). Relationship approximately 20-40% of dogs found to have made it impractical to undertake the experiment of serum total calcium to serum albumin in dogs, cats, horses and cattle. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, lymphoma being hypercalcaemic. Weir, Norrdin and generate results, expected results were cal- 34(6), 360–364. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm. and Matus (1968) hypothesised that tumour pro- culated via the extrapolation of collaborated data nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1686560/?tool=pmcentrez duction of parathyroid hormone related peptide from previous studies. &report=abstract causes osteoclastic resorption in bones thus re- Elliott, J., Dobson, J.M, Dunn, J.K., Herrtage, M.E., & Jackson, sulting in hypercalcaemia of malignancy. Completing this research proposal has opened K.F. (1991). Hypercalcemia in the dog: a study of our eyes to the vast possibilities available to 40 cases. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 32(11), Guided by the gaps in current research we for- graduates with a degree in Veterinary Science. 564–571. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1991.tb00887.x mulated an experiment which would evaluate all Being a qualified veterinarian does not mean you Messinger, J. S., Windham, W. R., & Ward, C. R. (2009). Ionized the aspects of hypercalcaemia of malignancy to are limited solely to the confinements of practic- hypercalcaemia in dogs: a retrospective study of 109 cases (1998-2003). Journal of Veterinary Internal provide a more complete study. The aim of our ing clinical medicine. This degree instead aims to Medicine, 23(3), 514-519. Retrieved from http://www. study was to examine parameters such as the provide a foundation through which graduates ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19658207 plasma concentrations of total calcium, ionised can make significant contributions to their pro- Rosol, T. J., & Capen, C. C. (2000). Cancer-associated calcium, albumin, parathyroid hormone and par- fessional field in a multitude of outlets. The re- hypercalcemia. In Feldman, B., Zinkl, J., & Jain, N. athyroid hormone-related peptide in dogs with search component of the course prepares James (Eds.), Schalm’s Veterinary Hematology. Philadelphia, lymphoma. The study would utilise immunophe- Cook University graduates with the expertise and Pennsylvania: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins. notyping to identify the lineage of lymphoma ability to conduct research in their chosen field Uehlinger, P., Glaus, T., & Hauser, B. (1998). Differential diagno- cells as either B cell or T cell type. Results gener- as well as the intellectual curiosity required for sis of hypercalcemia: a retrospective study of 46 dogs. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 140(5), 188–197. Retrieved ated will allow further characterisation of calcium sustainable development of their careers and the from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9617205 metabolism as well as providing practical insight communities in which they practise. These skills Weir, E.C., Norrdin, R.W., & Matus, R.E. (1988). Humoral towards the clinical treatment of hypercalcaemia are fundamental to facing and conquering the hypercalcemia of malignancy in canine lymphosar- in dogs with lymphoma. upcoming challenges facing northern Australia coma. Endocrinology, 122(2), 602–608. Retrieved from and the tropics world-wide. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2828006 Once the intended parameters of examination had been identified, we would then begin to for- Acknowledgements mulate the practical requirements of conducting Research Supervisor, Dr. Dilini Thilakaratne for her the proposed research. Objectives, materials and input and guidance in carrying out this research methods as well at biosafety and ethical con- proposal. Overseas News Students Practice Several At UBRP orientation students are involved in dis- cussions about how research is funded and about Means of Communicating how government and politics impact science, About Science education and health care. Through these dis- Carol Bender, University Distinguished Outreach cussions students begin to understand that part Professor; Director, Undergraduate Biology of being a STEM professional includes being able Research Program, The University of Arizona to communicate findings in a variety of venues Learning to communicate about science to both to a wide range of audiences. Representatives from the University’s State and Federal Relations Undergraduate Austin Brown explains his work on the effects of scientists and to members of the public is an es- fungicide on honeybee health. sential skill for STEM researchers. Thus, in the Un- Offices meet with the students to describe cur- dergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP) at rent funding issues and legislation that impacts the end of each summer, students are required to the University of Arizona (UA) we provide a variety the research that takes place at UA. In addition, write a press release about the research in which of opportunities for undergraduate researchers to a reporter from the local paper gives a presenta- they have been involved, and these are sent to, practice their communication skills. tion on what goes into a press release because at and often published in, their hometown paper.

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Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at Macquarie University During the summer, students meet in bi-weekly students’ friends and family members, and pro- Science, the Experimental Biology Meeting, the in small groups, co-led by postdocs or graduate spective applicants to UA and to UBRP. Typically American Chemical Society Meeting, and the students, to learn to explain their research to their the conference includes more than 115 post- Society for Neuroscience Meeting. peers. They discuss and practice making power ers and is attended by more than 400 people. point presentations and posters. Each student Once students have presented on campus they Catch up with Professor Carol Bender presents a poster of his/her experimental results are encouraged to present their work at scien- at Macquarie University on 16th Sep- tember where she will be giving a at the annual UBRP Conference. The Conference tific conferences around the country. Many have talk as part of Learning and Teaching is attended by scientists, representatives of local presented their work at conferences such as the Week or at ACUR 2014 ANU Canberra biotech companies, university administrators, American Association for the Advancement of

The First UK Politics/ undertaken as part of their degrees, mainly their dissertations. Topics ranged from an evaluation International Relations of the work of Bernard Stiegler through a study Undergraduate Research of the global regulation of conflict diamonds to Conference an investigation of the Statecraft of the British Coalition Government. The students displayed an Alison Statham, Chris Goldsmith, Mette Wiggen impressive command of their subject, especially and Simon Lightfoot, De Montfort University UK in dealing with questions from the audience. The First UK Politics/International Relations Un- Having spent a number of months researching Politics/international relations undergraduate research confer- dergraduate Research Conference took place on an area, the general feeling was that they valued ence in progress 2nd April at De Montfort University, Leicester. the opportunity to discuss their work and engage Association and the Department of Politics and 16 students from 9 different universities gave with students from other departments across the Public Policy for their support of the event, which presentations based upon research they had country. Thanks go to the UK Political Studies we hope can become a regular event.

Undergraduate research and based higher education (CBHE) sector. The CBHE part of that project we collected 60 case studies sector is diverse and includes higher education from seven different countries. One of our main inquiry in college-based programs run by technical and further education findings is that despite major differences in in- higher education institutions (TAFEs) in Australia, polytechnics in stitutional mission there are many similarities in Mick Healey, Alan Jenkins and John Lea New Zealand, further education in the the ways in which CBHE and universities engage Healey HE Consultants, UK; Oxford Brookes Univer- UK, institutes of technology in Ireland, and com- their undergraduate students in research and in- sity, UK; Canterbury Christ Church University, UK munity colleges in Canada and the United States. quiry. For example, at North Institute of TAFE, students in the Bachelor of Education Most attention has focused on how best to en- We recently completed a project for the UK (Early Years) experience all four approaches to gage students in research and inquiry in the uni- Higher Education Academy on Developing re- engaging with research (research-led, oriented, versity sector. However, there is also a significant search-based curricula in college-based higher based and tutored) identified by Healey (2005) amount of this activity occurring in the college- education (Healey, Jenkins and Lea, 2014). As (case study 1).

Case study 1: Building a research identity in the in critical reading and discussion of research program, research-based activity is introduced Bachelor of Education (Early Years) at Northern literature. They are engaged in learning ac- to students as they develop and implement a Melbourne Institute of TAFE, Australia 1 tivities that require them to undertake problem self-reflective action-oriented research pro- Students are introduced to research skills in posing, that is, generating a research ques- ject based on their allocated teaching practice year one. Subsequently, in the four-year pro- tion, data collection techniques – specifically placements. In the fourth year of the program, gramme students are introduced to research- those based on observation – and building students are supervised to conduct a research led and research-oriented teaching and their capacity to interpret data from a range of project and prepare a research report discuss- learning. Students are required to participate theoretical perspectives. In the third year of the ing the processes used and their findings.

1 Sources: correspondence with Karina Davis ([email protected]) and Christine Spratt ([email protected]); http//www.nmit.edu.au/courses/bachelor_of_education_(early_years) 8

Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at Macquarie University Variants from the traditional project form are al- nology Ireland, students work in groups to address Zealand, the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has strong ready quite common in the CBHE sector. Many use a research problem identified by a local business. connections with local industry and national bod- group rather than individual projects and many are The work is split over two long modules: in the first ies and wherever possible the diploma in Engi- linked to employment or community-based learn- the students have to design a research proposal, neering projects are guided by jointly developed ing opportunities. For example, in the final-year and in the second they revise it in the light of feed- proposals which address real-world workplace marketing project at Letterkenny Institute of Tech- back and carry out the research. Similarly in New issues (case study 2).

Case study 2: Students undertaking diploma in culmination of their learning. Students research ment is a collaboration between the sponsor engineering analyse mechanical or electrical existing solutions, create and trial variants or in- organisation and teaching staff. As well as re- engineering design problems and identify novations, then record, assess and refine their search and practical skills, students learn about possible solutions in final project at Bay of processes. Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has strong project management and liaison between Plenty Polytechnic, New Zealand 2 connections with local industry and national stakeholders, and enhance their verbal and Undergraduate students completing the second bodies; wherever possible, the projects are written communication skills. For some, the in- year of a polytechnic diploma are required to guided by jointly developed proposals which troduction to an industry organisation has led to undertake a semester-long research project as a address real-world workplace issues. Assess- employment and on-going opportunities.

2 Sources: correspondence with Uli Fuerst ([email protected]) and Mark Hendry ([email protected]); https://www.boppoly.ac.nz/go/programmes-and-courses/electrotechnology- electrical/new-zealand-diploma-in-engineering-electrical Within the CBHE sector most attention has been focused on increasing the References amount of research and scholarship undertaken by the colleges and developing Healey, M. (2005) Linking research and teaching exploring disciplinary spaces and the role of the capacity of their teaching staff to engage in these activities. Our belief is that to inquiry-based learning. In: Barnett, R. (Ed.) Reshaping the university: new relationships between research, scholarship and teaching. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University enhance the quality of student learning much more attention needs to be given Press, pp. 30–42. to how best to engage the students in research and inquiry. We also argue that Healey, M., Jenkins, A. and Lea, J. (2014) Developing research-based curricula in college-based this approach and the practices in CBHE have implications for debates concerning higher education. York: Higher Education Academy. Available from: www.heacademy. the research-teaching nexus in the ‘mainstream’ university sector. ac.uk/college-based-he/research-based-curricula [10 May 2014]. Upcoming Events

Third Conference of Undergraduate Research, Australian National University, Canberra. 18-19 September 2014. Further information www.ACUR.org.au Posters in Parliament: An exhibition and celebration of undergraduate research.22nd September 2014. Parliament House Canberra. LiHE 2014 symposium on LEARNING TO RESEARCH - RESEARCHING TO LEARN at the beautiful Monastery in the Wine of Adelaide, Australia. All accepted participants get their research published worldwide by Libri Publishing Ltd.Enquiries: [email protected]. Web address: http://lihe.info Sponsored by: LiHE (International Academic Association for the Advancement of Learning-Centred Higher Education)

Contact us: If you didn’t receive this directly from us, it means that you are not on our list. Please let us know if you would like to join our extended network of interested people. For further information, or to submit an item for inclusion in the next issue, contact: Professor Angela Brew Lilia Mantai 2008 ALTC National Teaching Fellow Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Email: [email protected] Learning and Teaching Centre Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia

The First Australasian Conference of Undergraduate Research Group 9 LTCA412-012 • 29 May 2014 Undergraduate Research News Australia is produced in the Learning and Teaching Centre at Macquarie University