Applications are now closed.
What is the BeGOOD Undergraduate Summer Placement?
This is a 3-weeks summer placement for undergraduates or recently graduated students. You will work full-time at the Neuroscience, Ethics and Society Group at the University of Oxford, which is led by Professor Ilina Singh. You will be closely supervised by members of the BeGOOD team.
You will be working on two main projects: (1) The implementation of a research study looking at young people’s moral experiences in everyday life using a digital diary methodology; (2) The development of innovative, digital methods to better understand teenagers’ moral attitudes regarding advances in genetics and neuroscience, including computer games and apps.
During the placement, you will be involved in discussions of conceptual questions relating to the research background, preparation of research materials, participant recruitment, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and design of new methodological tools. You will be integrated into the daily operations of the Neuroscience, Ethics and Society Group as a full member, and will benefit from both individual meetings and group discussions.
What’s the commitment?
You will work full time (10am to 6pm) for 3 weeks in September 2017 (flexible start date).
Who can apply?
Undergraduates or recently graduated students from any university or background who have permission to work in the United Kingdom. Preference will be given to applicants whose area of study overlaps with our research interests, including Psychology, Philosophy/Ethics, Animation/Graphic Design, Computer Science, Medicine, Biology and Sociology.
How many places are available?
We will appoint two students for the summer programme.
Do I get paid?
Yes, you will be compensated for your time. Please note, however, that this is not a residential placement and you will need to make your own accommodation and transport arrangements.
Where does it take place?
You will be working at the Neuroscience, Ethics and Society Research Group, which is hosted at the Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford.
What do I gain from it?
You will have a chance to learn about ethics, mental health, and the process of doing research. You will also have the chance to interact closely with researchers who are doing cutting-edge work in the field. Most importantly, the products of your work experience will help us ensure that young people’s opinions are better understood.
Who is behind the programme?
Gabriela Pavarini, a postdoctoral researcher with a background in psychology; Arianna Manzini, who is a philosopher and PhD student with a keen interest in working with young people; Jessica Lorimer, a Research Assistant in the BeGOOD team; and Ilina Singh, who is a Professor of Neuroscience and Society and our research group leader.
What type of research do you do?
Our research focuses on ethical issues that arise from innovations in neuroscience, psychiatry and genetics. The BeGOOD Undergraduate Summer Placement will mainly support a project named ‘Citizens: Early Intervention Ethics‘, which is part of a larger research project called ‘Becoming Good: Early Intervention and Moral Development in Child Psychiatry’ (BeGOOD). ‘Citizens’ deals with how young people understand and reason about ethical questions related to early intervention strategies and programmes. For example, some people believe we should identify babies at risk of developing psychiatric conditions (for ex., toddlers who show emotional difficulties or who carry genes that are more common among people diagnosed with certain disorders such as psychosis or conduct disorder) and intervene with them to prevent problems from coming up. Although this approach sounds hopeful, it raises several ethical questions. For example, Is it fair to test babies before they are able to consent? And is it stigmatising to give them a label before an actual problem emerges? The ‘Citizens’ project is interested in young people’s views on these and other similar dilemmas.
During the placement you will work on a sub-study of Citizens that deals with teenagers’ moral experiences in everyday life, as well as the development of new methods to better understand young people’s views about some of the ethical issues described above.
How do I apply for it?
Applications are now closed.
When do I know if my application was successful?
We will contact you by email by the 28th of July 2017. Any further updates will be published on this website or our Twitter page.
Still have questions?
If you still have questions feel free to ask Gabriela Pavarini and Arianna Manzini at info@begoodeie.com.