The Student Thesis Conference as a model for authentic and inclusive student research dissemination

Douglas, Caroline; Yearsley, James; Scott, Graham W.; Hubbard, Katharine E.

Abstract

Engaging in a final year project is required in most undergraduate degree programmes. However, the student research experience often differs from the academic experience due to a lack of opportunities for research dissemination. We present the Student Thesis Conference as an innovative research dissemination model used in Sports Science degrees at the University of Hull. The 500 delegate conference is embedded throughout the programme; first year students attend as delegates, second years present their dissertation proposals as posters and final year students give oral presentations of their research findings. We determine that the conference engages students of all abilities, and students see the conference primarily in terms of improving communication skills. We show that the conference increases student confidence in presentation skills, demonstrating the impact of communication to larger audiences. The conference is an inclusive and authentic model of undergraduate research dissemination, and could be widely adopted throughout the sector.

Citation

Douglas, C., Yearsley, J., Scott, G. W., & Hubbard, K. E. (2018). The Student Thesis Conference as a model for authentic and inclusive student research dissemination. Higher Education Pedagogies, 3(1), 319-341. https://doi.org/10.1080/23752696.2018.1478675

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 15, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Sep 22, 2018
• Publication Date: Sep 22, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jul 10, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 25, 2018
• Journal: Higher Education Pedagogies
• Print ISSN: 2375-2696
• Electronic ISSN: 2375-2696
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 319-341
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23752696.2018.1478675
• Keywords: Undergraduate research; Inquiry-based learning; Research dissemination; Undergraduate conference; Communication; Capstone experiences
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/919606
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23752696.2018.1478675