An undergraduate student participated in the first research internship programme funded by the NIHR, in partnership with the University of Liverpool, this summer.
Georgina Chadwick, who is now a third-year Physiotherapy student at Sheffield Hallam University, said she had an "incredibly positive experience" working alongside School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing staff.
The NIHR Undergraduate Internship Programme (UIP) is a scheme designed to engage and attract students from underrepresented professions in the early stages of their academic studies to consider a career in health and social care research.
For Georgina's project, she helped conduct a systematic review evaluating the potential effects of swallowing difficulties (oropharyngeal dysphagia) on respiratory-swallow coordination alongside Dr Michelle Lawton - an NIHR Advanced Clinical Academic Fellow based in the school.
She said: "Being involved in the study allowed me to develop a range of research skills which has increased my confidence in my ability to pursue a research career. I have also developed a greater understanding of the research topic area, which is novel to me as a physiotherapist, and the scope of practice of speech and language therapists which has furthered my multi-disciplinary team working skills."
Georgina also believes that the skills which she has obtained during her experience have allowed her to develop a greater understanding of the nuances of professional research.
She explained: "Originally, as many other professionals also believe, I thought that research could only be done by the most intelligent and academic people at the top of their fields. I now understand that to be successful in research, it is actually professional resilience which is of most importance.
"There have been many hurdles throughout my internship, which is true for all research, but I have realised that to be successful, a researcher must be curious enough and determined enough to find the answers to the questions that they are asking.
"As an undergraduate student, it can be difficult to become a part of the research world as an “outsider”. This internship has been my entry point into this field, improving my understanding of the opportunities that are available to me, and readying me for my future endeavours."
In summary of her experience, Georgina said: "I have greatly enjoyed meeting a range of people that are involved in research, it’s been incredibly valuable to realise that researchers come in all forms and are just like me in a way. We all share curiosity and a passion to find answers.
"I find that most undergraduates share the preconceived opinion that researchers will speak in terms that they don’t understand and will have knowledge that is way beyond them. Instead, I have learnt that even at my current level of study, I can make valuable contributions to research.
"I would encourage anyone with an interest in research or curiosity about why we do what we do in practice, to apply for opportunities like this; it has allowed me to reflect on my position as a healthcare professional in the research world, facilitating both professional and personal development."