Through RNID’s collaboration with In2scienceUK, students from underrepresented backgrounds gained practical insight into hearing research last summer. Alisia Maciu joined Dr Emma Holmes’ team at University College London to study how people understand speech in noisy environments.
Here, Alisia shares her highlights and what inspired her to pursue research.
Can you tell us about your placement and what you took away from the experience?
During my placement in Dr Emma Holmes’ laboratory, I worked on a range of tasks related to auditory research. These included analysing speech recordings, using an artificial intelligence programme to create new audio samples based on real human speech recordings. I also conducted in-person recording sessions with participants, some lasting up to four hours, where I recorded them reading sentences inside a soundproof booth.
Working closely with my host and the research team gave me valuable insight into how experimental studies are designed and managed. I gained practical experience in data collection, participant management, and statistical analysis. Overall, it was a very rewarding and educational experience that strengthened my interest in scientific research.
What did you enjoy most about your placement?
I particularly enjoyed conducting in-person experiments with participants and collecting data, as it made the research process feel very tangible and engaging. Attending research meetings was also a highlight, as it allowed me to hear about other ongoing projects and to understand how individual studies fit into the wider field of hearing research.
What motivated you to take part in this placement?
My main inspiration came from a Perception module I took in the second year of my undergraduate degree. I learned about both audition and vision, and I found that the lectures on hearing sparked my interest in how humans process sound. The placement seemed like an ideal opportunity to apply what I had learned and to develop new skills in a real research setting.
Why In2scienceUK matters
RNID has supported the In2research programme for four years because it opens doors for students from underrepresented backgrounds to gain hands-on research experience and build STEM careers.
Dr Emma Holmes, Associate Professor at UCL, said:
“I’ve been a placement host for three years. In my experience, the students are quick to learn and have interesting questions. It is often their first opportunity to get research experience, and the placement gives them a solid grounding in what research involves. It’s valuable that the students bring diversity and new perspectives to my research group.”
Learn more about In2scienceUK, the charity behind this programme, and how they promote diversity and inclusion in STEM. Visit In2scienceUK website.
