Participating in the Research Volunteering Scheme was an incredibly rewarding experience that significantly enhanced my research skills. The scheme provided a structured yet flexible environment to engage with a meaningful research question, allowing me to apply my existing knowledge while developing new competencies.

Namratha Murugeshan, Research Volunteer 2024-5, Master of Laws

Summary

The Research Volunteering Scheme offers LSE student teams the chance to conduct literature reviews supporting charities on social causes.

Previous projects

Previous projects have investigated how household air pollution in sub-Saharan Africa may be most effectively combatted; the relationship between strong family / significant other ties and safer prisons; and the barriers that prevent students from accessing mental health support.

Every year, we work with charities operating in a variety of fields including sustainability, gender equity, international development, criminal justice reform, the environment, homelessness, educational equity, disability, and mental health.

Process

During the scheme, the teams conduct literature reviews of existing, published research, and liaise with their charity partners. The teams present their findings at the end of the scheme in research papers and presentations.

Every team is supported by the LSE Volunteer Centre and the wider LSE in addition to the charities.

Goals

The scheme provides excellent opportunities for students to apply their academic skills to a ‘real world’ issue, learn more about the causes that mean the most to them, meet new people, and develop research, teamwork, and other professional skills in exciting projects that hold the potential to transform lives.

The scheme offers charities opportunities to gain fresh perspectives, access the expertise that students are developing at university, outsource important tasks that resource constraints may otherwise preclude, and contribute to students’ personal, professional and academic development.

Further details

The scheme runs from November to March every year.

Charity applications to the scheme are open during August and September.

Student applications to the scheme are open during October. The scheme is open to all current students.

Calls for applications will be posted on the LSE Volunteer Centre Blog and LSE Volunteer Centre social media (@lsevolunteering) during the autumn. Our email address for any queries is volunteer@lse.ac.uk.

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