In a bid to nurture aspiring researchers and provide them with experience in the world of academia, the School of Mathematics and Statistics offers a research bursary programme that aims to offer a unique research experience for individuals contemplating future pursuits of PhD degrees.
Under this programme, successful bursary holders will have the opportunity to work on a designated research project, under the guidance and supervision of a member of the academic staff. The culmination of their efforts will be a comprehensive report showcasing their findings, which is to be submitted at the conclusion of the project.
Participants can choose to conduct their research either on campus in Milton Keynes, supported by face-to-face meetings, or opt for a remote approach from their homes, supported via online meetings. The programme even allows for a combination of the two, recognising the evolving nature of how research is conducted in a modern academic environment.
Importantly, bursary holders will actively engage with each other, fostering a collaborative environment. Interaction with their assigned supervisor(s), as well as with other members of the school, including academics, postdocs, and PhD students, is an integral aspect of this initiative.
Highlighting the success of the programme, this summer saw one of the bursary students, Abigail Bourne, achieve a significant milestone. Abigail not only delved into her research project but also shared her experiences and results through a blog published on the The British Society for the History of Mathematics.
Abigail spoke of her time at the OU saying:
“This is the first experience I’ve had of doing some independent research. I was really grateful to be chosen for the bursary. I really enjoyed it and it has further cemented my desire to pursue postgraduate education, hopefully a PhD.
“I was transcribing letters from 1848-1850 written to Thomas Turner Wilkinson from Thomas Stephens Davies. They were mathematicians who were regular contributors to several periodicals of the day, which printed questions and answer sections for different mathematical problems.
“I found it interesting that the mathematicians of their time didn’t limit themselves to one particular area of study; they were scientists, historians, poets, musicians and more. I have been inspired by them to broaden my interests and potentially my study path to include more than just maths.”
Dr Brigitte Stenhouse, a Lecturer in the History of Mathematics who supervised Abigail, expressed her delight in working with the undergraduate student:
“Supervising Abi was an absolute delight; she worked incredibly hard to transcribe hundreds of letters, which illuminate the hurdles and joys experienced by working-class mathematicians in 19th-century Britain. These transcriptions will be immensely valuable for future research.
“As an early career researcher, the summer research project was an excellent opportunity for me to gain experience as a supervisor and mentor. I really enjoyed getting to work directly with an OU undergraduate student, and it was useful to reflect on the numerous comparisons Abi thoughtfully drew between her own experiences as a mathematician and those of the mathematicians’ whose letters she transcribed.”
The School of Mathematics and Statistics continues to pave the way for aspiring researchers, providing them with a platform to contribute meaningfully to their fields and fostering an environment that encourages academic growth.
Find out more on the student research bursaries with the School of Mathematics and Statistics.
