King's College London

Liberty Wade, a Psychology student, embraced the opportunity to further her research skills and align her academic journey with her career goals through KURF. Her project, “Examining the Effectiveness of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training on Cognitive and Psychological Emotion Regulation,” enabled her to dive deeply into clinical research, directly supporting her aspirations to pursue clinical psychology.

Reflecting on the relevance of the project, Liberty shared:
"This project was directly aligned with my goal to pursue clinical psychology, so it felt like the perfect fit. It gave me insights into research that I could immediately apply to my dissertation and future studies."

Liberty also emphasized the networking opportunities and professional relationships fostered through KURF, which extended beyond the fellowship itself:
"My supervisor’s supervisor will also be supervising my dissertation project. The networking that KURF brings, and the broader lab team, is really important."

Impact of KURF Funding

The fellowship provided Liberty with a solid foundation for her academic and professional development:

Practical Research Skills: Working in a lab gave Liberty firsthand experience with research methodologies, which proved invaluable for her final-year dissertation.

Career Advancement: Liberty noted how KURF opened doors for future opportunities:
"I think it helped me get a research job at UCL, which was great. It’s just the stepping stones to the next thing."

Liberty also highlighted how the experience set her apart when applying for postgraduate opportunities:
"As an undergrad, to have a publication, even if it’s just the one, really sets you aside from other applicants."

Broader Impact

Liberty’s KURF experience exemplifies the programme’s ability to combine academic enrichment with professional growth. She described how the programme equipped her with the tools to navigate both current academic challenges and future career aspirations:
"KURF was the stepping stone I needed. It allowed me to refine my skills and gain experiences that set me apart when applying for internships, graduate roles, and postgraduate studies."

By fostering connections, enhancing research skills, and providing formal recognition, KURF has empowered Liberty to take confident strides towards her professional aspirations, reinforcing the value of targeted research opportunities for undergraduate students.

The King’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF)

KURF offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in transformative research projects led by academics and staff at King’s during the summer. Fellows receive a stipend of £1,500 and are awarded the King’s Experience Research Award, which is featured on their Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR) as formal recognition of their role as research fellows.

Key Features and Impact

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: KURF encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, exposing students to diverse research methodologies and fields.

Skill Development: Participants gain essential research skills such as data collection, analysis, and critical thinking, as well as transferable skills including teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.

Enhanced Career Prospects: Fellows frequently cite KURF as instrumental in securing postgraduate study opportunities, research roles, and careers in industry.

Widening Participation: In the King’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF), the scoring system incorporates a formula that provides WP students with an additional 20% weighting on their application mark, which is then added to the supervisor’s score. Typically, the highest-scoring candidates are either selected outright or invited to interview, where final decisions are made. This ensures that the programme supports inclusivity and targets students from underrepresented backgrounds.