Engaging with students

Learning and teaching at the University of Cambridge begins from the premise that all students are potential researchers.

Those taking a degree in Theology, Religion & Philosophy of Religion learn to tackle a new topic each week, reading widely, writing essays to deadlines, and receiving one-to-one feedback from supervisors. 

Where funds are available, we can also support students and recent graduates to undertake short-term research commitments outside termtime. Tasks may include tracing and interviewing past beneficiaries of an organisation’s work, or conducting a literature review of a key concept to support project design.

Skills sessions

CIKH also coordinates a range of student-facing Skills sessions. Hosted online or in Cambridge, sessions are interactive and aim to provide first-hand experience of different sectors. 

Students value the opportunity to discern how their studies may prove relevant in contemporary workplaces. 

Case study | Media management

In a 50-minute online Skills session, professionals from two different non-profit organisations took turns to introduce students to scenarios from their work life, raising key questions about the best approach to sensitive public matters. Students weighed up the concerns arising, exploring relevant considerations and possible courses of action. 

The examples given were based on real workplace challenges, and our guests explained the actions taken and the consequences, reflecting on the learning for them and their organisations. Participants were a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate students, with related resources and links later circulated to attendees. The students reported high levels of satisfaction, appreciating the relevance of the examples and the opportunity to interact with the session leads and with one another.

Some skills sessions have developed out of discussion within CIKH’s Communities of Research and Practice. Bringing real workplace scenarios into the extra-curricular classroom encourages innovation and enterprise.

Projects, internships and work experience

CIKH is working with the Careers Service and the Faculty of Divinity to explore best practice in supporting mini-research projects, internships and other forms of placement for Cambridge students. 

Case study | Charity

A module focused on Charity invites students to trace the history of the concept through to its realisation in a variety of modern institutions. We welcome coursework ideas that build on this learning and allow students to explore questions of relevance to the charity and voluntary sector.

Undergraduates tell us they value opportunities to engage with the faith-based voluntary sector. Organisations in Cambridgeshire and neighbouring regions are especially encouraged to share relevant asks via the University’s Career Service. CIKH partners are supported to register and promote relevant opportunities.