Research and me: students immersed in the world of research

Hello Nathalie. The Research and Me program has been in existence for almost ten years. Can you tell us about the different ways in which our students can immerse themselves in the world of research?

N.C: Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of research right from their first year. This enables them to test their appetite, and discover an environment and working methods with which they are not yet familiar. Three teaching units are offered: an optional UE of half a day a week for several months, which they can do in 1st and/or 2nd year (this applies to both the traditional engineering curriculum and the apprentice curriculum), an integrative Immersion in Research module in 1st year, which enables them to be hosted full-time in a research structure and work on a research project for more than two weeks, and lastly, a “UE” offering a more theoretical exploration of the world of research, with teaching on research careers, ethical issues, conferences with professionals in the sector, exchanges with doctoral students… All in all, the idea is to give them a better idea of what research is all about, and to help them develop their career plans.

Do you have any figures on the number of students who have taken or are taking this course?

N.C : Yes. Over 550 students have taken at least one Research and Me teaching unit since the scheme was set up, but what’s interesting is that in 2016, there were almost fifty enrolled, whereas last year there were 105. So the numbers have doubled over the years. This enthusiasm is confirmed year after year, and we feel it right from our first meeting with them, when we present the scheme to the 1st year students at the start of the school year.

What types of facilities welcome them? In which disciplines?

N.C: Students can discover research in both the public and private sectors. We have many links with academic research and R&D structures, and depending on the teaching unit, they can even join a laboratory at the other end of France. There are no restrictions on discipline either, as the aim is to give them the opportunity to test themselves on the themes that interest them. Some choose a discipline that is common to AgroParisTech research units (animal welfare and behavior, food, agronomy, for example), while others choose to work in areas that are little or not dealt with at AgroParisTech, such as cancer research (editor’s note: AgroParisTech collaborates with the Pasteur Institute, Inserm, the Natural History Museum, etc.).

Do students who choose to learn about research through this program go on to do research?

N.C : At AgroParisTech, around 15% of all our engineering students go on to do a thesis. And among those who have taken part in the “La recherche et moi” program, the figure is more like 30%. A third of them are now doing research. We’re very happy about that! But above all, the aim is to give them the opportunity to test themselves, to acquire skills that may be useful to them later on, whether or not they go into research, and to have experiences they’re not used to having any other way, like taking part in the Junior Congress, where they put themselves in the conditions of a real congress! Whatever their career choice, they come away with a wealth of experience and new skills.