Student Bursaries – Awards & Bursary Recipients

Deadline Approaching: All applications must be received via the 2023 ASET Bursary Application form and emailed to the ASET Office by 9am 27th February 2023

ASET Bursaries 2023
The 2023 ASET Bursaries are now open for applications.  See details below for the two bursaries available, and to down load an application form:

2023 Summer Project Bursary
For a current undergraduate to carry out a project examining an aspect of your institutional practice, or exploration of a new initiative, with the goal of sharing with the ASET community. The student must be currently studying at your institution, which must also be a current member of ASET.

Download flyer and full details here

2023 Student Research Bursary
For a current student or recent graduate to carry out a clearly defined piece of small scale research designed to grow the body of research into work-based and placement learning. The student must be currently studying at your institution, which must also be a current member of ASET.

Download flyer and full details here.

All applications must be received via the 2023 ASET Bursary Application form and emailed to the ASET Office by 9am 27th February 2023.

Previous Bursary Projects
2022
ASET Summer Project Bursary
The 2022 Summer Project Bursary was awarded to Dr Rachel Shannon, Ulster University for her proposal:
Designing a Placement Student Community of Practice
Rachel’s project was undertaken by Samantha McCombe BSc (Hons) Food and Nutrition with placement year, 2020-2023, Ulster University . Samantha will be presenting the project findings at the 2022 ASET Conference at Keele University. Her presentation will be included in Proceedings the full report is available to download below.
Designing an Ulster University Placement Student Network –Report

2021
ASET Summer Project Bursary
The 2021 Summer Project Bursary was awarded to Anne Lloyd, City, University of London for her proposal:
Has COVID-19 changed work-based learning forever?
Anne’s project was undertaken by Sophie Gueli, BSc Computer Science (2019-2022). Sophie presented the project findings at the 2021 ASET Conference, Online. Her presentation is included in Proceedings which can be viewed here and the full report is available to download below.
Has COVID-19 changed work-based learning forever?– Report

2020
ASET Summer Project Bursary
The 2020 Summer Project Bursary was awarded to Doug Wotherspoon, University of Worcester for his proposal:
Tailoring Work Based Placement for employers and students: Bridging the Skills Gap
Doug’s project was undertaken by Tori Caleb, LLB Law, (2017-2020). Tori presented the project findings on Day 1 of #ASETConnect. Her presentation was based around a poster which can be viewed here. The presentation is included in 2020 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download below.
Tailoring Work Based Placement for employers and students: Bridging the Skills Gap – Report

2019
ASET Research Bursary
The 2019 ASET Research Bursary was awarded to Patricia Parrott, Harper Adams University for her proposal:
The role of placement in the development of entrepreneurship
Patricia’s project was undertaken by Jenny Lister, BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science(2015-2019). Jenny presented her findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2019, University of Hertfordshire. Her presentation is included in the 2019 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download below
The role of placement in the development of entrepreneurship – Report

ASET Summer Project Bursary
The 2019 Summer Project Bursary was awarded to Megan Jenkins, Cardiff University for her proposal:
Why don’t students want work experience? An investigation and analysis
Megan’s project was undertaken by Hope Francis, BSc (Hons) Economics, (2017-2020). Hope presented the project findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2019, University of Hertfordshire. Her presentation is included in the 2019 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download below
Why don’t students want work experience? An investigation and analysis – Report

2018
ASET Research Bursary
The 2018 ASET Research Bursary was awarded to Sophie Cranston, Loughborough University for her proposal:
International Work Placements: Linking Experiences to Future Career Aspirations
Sophie’s project was undertaken by Emma Bates, BSc (Hons) Geography (2015-2018). Emma presented her findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2018, University of Nottingham. Her presentation is included in the 2018 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download
International Work Placements: Linking Experiences to Future Career Aspirations – Report

This ASET funded research was also published in Geoforum in January 2020.

ASET Summer Project Bursary
The 2018 Summer Project Bursary was awarded to Laura Bradley, Ulster University for her proposal:
Millennial Students Perceptions of Employability: Lessons for Generation X & Y Academics
Laura’s project was undertaken by Bryony McCormick, BSc (Hons) Business Studies with Marketing, (2016-2019) . Bryony presented the project findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2018, University of Nottingham. Her presentation is included in the 2018 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download
Millennial Students Perceptions of Employability: Lessons for Generation X & Y Academics – Report

2017
ASET Research Bursary
The 2017 ASET Research Bursary was awarded to Eilidh Steele, University of Edinburgh for her proposal:
Investigate the maximum number of hours an undergraduate student can work during semester without adversely impacting their academic commitments
Eilidh’s project was undertaken by James Hanton, MA Social Anthropology (2015-2019). James presented his findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2017, University of Kent. His presentation is included in the 2017 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download:
An Investigation into the maximum number of hours that an undergraduate student can work during the semester without adversely impacting on their academic commitments. – Report

ASET Summer Project Bursary
For 2017 the ASET Exploration and Enhancement Student Bursary was relaunched as the Summer Project Bursary and awarded to Carolina Salinas, Aston University for her proposal:
Increasing Student engagement and peer-to-peer support through the Careers +Placements Associates Pilot
Carolina’s project was jointly undertaken by Mohammad Hameed, BSc Biological Sciences (2014-2018), and Maariyah Islam BSc Sociology (2015-2018) . Maariyah presented the project findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2017, University of Kent. Her presentation is included in the 2017 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download:
Increasing student engagement and peer-to-peer support through the Careers +Placements Associates Pilot – Report

2016
ASET Research Bursary
The 2016 ASET Research Bursary was awarded to Dr Mark Turner, University of Portsmouth for his proposal:
What determines student success and failure when searching and applying for placements?
Mark’s project was undertaken by Eleanor Scott-Allen, BSc (Hons) Psychology 2013-2016, University of Portsmouth. Eleanor presented her findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2016, University of York. Her presentation is included in the 2016 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download:
What determines student success and failure when searching and applying for placements? – Report
ASET Exploration and Enhancement Student Bursary
The 2016 ASET Exploration and Enhancement Student Bursary was awarded to Dr Helena Pimlott-Wilson, Loughborough University for her proposal:
Developing interest in work placements amongst prospective and current students
Helena’s project was undertaken by Ami Harty, PhD School of Business & Economics 2016-2019, Loughborough University. Ami presented her findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2016, University of York. Her presentation is included in the 2016 Conference Proceedings and the full report is available to download:
Developing interest in year-long work placements? – Report

2015
Research Placement Student Bursary
The 2015 ASET Research Bursary was awarded to Hilary Jones, at the University of Sheffield, for her proposal:
The impact of Placement Experience on Returning Doctoral Students
Hilary’s project was undertaken by Talia Garza Garza, a post-graduate student at the University of Sheffield. Talia presented her report at the ASET Annual Conference 2015, University of Exeter. Her presentation will be part of ASET Annual Conference Proceedings 2015 and the full report is available to download here:
The impact of Placement Experience on Returning Doctoral Students –Report
Exploration and Enhancement Student Bursary
In 2015, we were delighted to once again be able to select two projects for funding.
The first of these was awarded to Clare Fletcher, Placement and Projects Officer, at Teesside University. Clare’s project was undertaken by Teesside University undergraduate student, Josh Gallagher and supervised by Mark Handscomb, Programme Leader for BA Journalism. Josh presented his findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2015, at the University of Exeter (6th  – 8th September 2015), along with a short film he created as part of his project. His presentation will be part of ASET Annual Conference Proceedings 2015, and his full report ‘Piloting student media placements in non-traditional media environments: Teesside University School of Art and Media and James Cook Hospital Communications Team‘ is available here.
The second of these was awarded to Pat Cullum, School Co-ordinator for Student Experience, School of Music Humanities and Media, University of Huddersfield. Pat’s project was undertaken by University of Huddersfield undergraduate student, Matthew Lightfoot . Matthew presented his findings at the ASET Annual Conference 2015, at the University of Exeter (6th  – 8th September 2015). His presentation will be part of ASET Annual Conference Proceedings 2015, and his full report ‘Support for Students with Mental Health issues on Placement‘ is available here.

2014
Research Placement Student Bursary
The 2014 ASET Research Bursary was awarded to Francesca Walker, at the University of Central Lancashire:
Francesca’s project was undertaken by Vicky O’Brien, a recent graduate of the University of Central Lancashire. Vicky presented her report at the ASET Annual Conference 2014, at Northumbria University (2nd – 4th September 2014). Her presentation is included in the proceedings from conference, and her full report is available to view here:
To what extent does peer to peer support encourage second year students to actively seek placements? – Final Report
Exploration and Enhancement Student Bursary
For 2014, in addition to the ASET Research Student Bursary another bursary was launched. The Exploration and Enhancement Student Bursary invited proposals to fund an undergraduate or recent graduate to carry out a small project “investigating an aspect of your institutional practice related to placement or work based learning”. This second bursary was developed for two reasons; to provide a funded student placement opportunity; and to facilitate the sharing of innovative practice in placement and work based learning.
We were therefore delighted to be able to select two projects for funding in the inaugural year.
The first of these was awarded to Paul Fennell, Deputy Director of the Careers Service at the University of Sheffield. Paul’s project was undertaken by University of Sheffield graduate student, Rebecca Stevenson and supervised by Helen Thorpe, Student Placement Co-ordinator. Rebecca presented her findings at the  ASET Annual Conference 2014, at Northumbria University (2nd – 4th September 2014). Her presentation is included in the proceedings from conference, and her full report is available to view here:
An Investigation into Student Experiences of Summer Internships – Final Report
The second award went to Felicity Mendoza, Research Associate in the Employability Hub, Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University . Felicity’s project was undertaken by a recent graduate of Sheffield Hallam University, Lucy MacBeth. Lucy also presented her findings at the  ASET Annual Conference 2014, at Northumbria University (2nd – 4th September 2014). Her presentation is again included in the proceedings from conference, and her full report is available to view here:
Work Shadowing Evaluation Project – Final Report

2013
Research Placement Student Bursary
The 2013 ASET Research Bursary was awarded to Dr Fred Sherratt, at the University of Bolton. Fred’s project was undertaken by Rob Smith, an undergraduate student studying at the University of Bolton. Rob presented his report at the ASET Annual Conference 2013, at the University of Greenwich, 3rd – 5th September. His presentation is included in the proceedings from conference, and his full report is available to view here:
Work Placements in Safety Critical Industries: A Built Environment Case Study– Final Report.

2012
Research Placement Student Bursary
The first bursary was awarded to Helene Turley at the University of Wolverhampton for her research into “The Pros and Cons of a Central Placement Unit” which was undertaken by Ms Olabimpe Foluso, who presented her findings at conference in September 2012 and subsequently the University of Wolverhampton moved to a Centralised Placement Unit.
Pros and Cons of Central Placement Units in UK Universities – Final Report

ASET Bursaries 2023

2023 ASET Bursary Application form