In2Research Programme

What is it?

In2research is a one-year programme that was developed by UCL and In2scienceUK, funded by Research England, Office for Students, and the Wellcome Trust. The programme aims to improve access to postgraduate research and wider research careers for individuals from low socio-economic and ethnically minoritised backgrounds.  

The initiative was created in response to underrepresentation within research and the persistent inequalities affecting recruitment, inclusion, and progression in research environments.

In2Research seeks to:

• Increase awareness and understanding of pathways into postgraduate research and research careers.
• Provide paid research experience through placements hosted by leading universities and research organisations.
• Foster inclusive and positive research culture through workshops on race, cultural literacy, and student wellbeing.
• Build an empowered and diverse community of future researchers.

Who is this programme for?

The programme is open to anyone who has completed at least one year of an undergraduate degree. Applicants do not need to be current students. Participants include: 

• Current students and recent graduates
• Masters’ students
• Individuals returning to education
• Mature learner 

There is no upper age limit. All participants meet a low socio-economic background criteria that is assessed using the following indicators:  

• The occupation of a main household earner when aged 14
• Eligibility for free school meals during school years
• If parents went to university
• Type of school attended 

University staff contribute to the programme as mentors and placement hosts. 

Since the 2020 pilot, 430 participants and 557 staff volunteers have taken part. UCL has supported research placements across multiple disciplines. Most participants identify as women and from ethnically minoritised backgrounds, while the majority of staff volunteers identify as women and White. We also work in partnership with DTPs and CDTs.

What is offered in the programme?

The programme typically starts in November of every year and concludes the following September.

• Launch event: A full day in-person induction featuring workshops and opportunities for cohort building.
• Skills Workshops: Online workshops covering key areas such as demystifying the PhD application and journey, developing academic CVs and personal statement, and research communication.
• Mentorship: Participants are matched as closely as possible to a subject-specific researcher who provides personalised guidance and support with research development and postgraduate applications.
• Research placement: Participants apply for an eight-week paid full time research placement hosted in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Cambridge, or Scotland that are typically held between 1 June and 31 August. UCL offers about 40 – 50 placements each year.
• Celebration Day: A final showcase event where participants present their research outputs through research porters at conference styled venues such as the Royal Institution or Science Museum. They get to network and celebrate their achievements with researchers and other advocates and supporters of the programme.
• Alumni community: Participants receive ongoing access to networking, employability and professional development workshops, and information about funding, jobs, and other research opportunities

Academic and research staff who volunteer have the opportunity to:

• Support participants to develop their CV and personal statement for postgraduate research applications
• Offer subject-specific guidance and advice
• Conduct informal mock interviews
• Host the summer research placement
• Oversee the participant’s creation of research output to present at a conference style celebration event
• Share insights about their research journey and research culture more broadly
• Learn about the motivations for research and research careers of those from under-represented backgrounds

Why is this programme important for UCL?

In2Research is UCL’s flagship initiative for widening access to postgraduate research. The programme enables participants from across the UK to learn from world-leading researchers while developing the skills and experience needed to progress into research careers. 

The programme also provides UCL with a valuable opportunity to reflect on and improve our research culture. Through ongoing participation, we are able to examine our recruitment practices, identify areas where bias persists, and strengthen our commitment to inclusive research environments.  To support this work, UCL commissioned The Brilliant Club (Brilliant Consulting) to develop an evaluation framework to assess the programme’s wider cultural impact. 

In2research also enriches UCL’s research community. Participants often bring unique perspectives, shaped by personal experience, and demonstrate strong motivation to pursue research, mentor peers, engage with diverse communities, and share knowledge widely. This diversity of insight strengthens research quality, broadens the scope of inquiry, and challenges limited or exclusionary approaches to knowledge-production. 

How can I find out more about the programme? 

• Academic and research staff interested in mentoring or hosting research placements can visit the In2research staff volunteers page. Staff preparing grant applications (e.g., CDT and DTPs) and wishing to embed In2research in their proposals may contact Dr Michael Sulu and Dr Snigdha Dutta.
• Undergraduate or Masters’ students at UCL who would like to take part in the programme can find the details on the In2research participant information page.
• The In2Research website has a number of resources to review such as, In2research impact report, In2research staff volunteers and case studies.