Inspiring undergraduates

Thousands of students start undergraduate bioscience courses in UK universities each year. Targeted Gatsby funding ensures that those who are bright, enthusiastic and able to consider a future in plant science are inspired to pursue their ambitions.

Our work in this area centres around the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School project at the University of Leeds.  Through the TREE (Tool for Research Engaged Education), the project offers university lecturers across the country access to a unique collection of inspirational teaching resources.  The main event is an annual summer school, giving 80 top bioscience undergraduates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend an intensive programme opening their eyes to the potential of plant science.

We also offer studentships that give undergraduates the opportunity to gain valuable experience in plant science research.

Projects

Sainsbury Undergraduate Studentships

Undergaduate at the Gatsby Plants Summer School

Our undergraduate studentship scheme aims to identify excellent second-year undergraduates with an interest in plant science, and support them to continue in the subject through summer research projects in laboratories outside their place of study.

Gatsby Plant Science Summer School

Gatsby Plants Summer School student looking down microscope

This intensive week of talks from leading scientists, constructive careers sessions, eye-opening practicals and thought-provoking discussions with researchers and peers turns some of the UK’s brightest bioscience undergraduates on to a future in plant science.

TREE (Tool for Research-Engaged Education)

Students at the Gatsby Plants Summer School

Developed by the University of Leeds, the TREE is an online teaching tool giving access to downloadable lecture slides, on-line lectures, practicals, movies and other material on topical plant science to support lecturers in their teaching.

An undergraduate biology student gets closer to plant science at the Gatsby Plants Summer School.