Free residential event for undergrads aspiring to work in crop protection

Posted 16 February 2017

The first BBSRC-funded Crop Protection Summer School for Undergraduates (CROPPS) is running Sunday 2 – Saturday 8 July at Harper Adams University.

The week-long residential event is aimed at first or second year undergraduates at a UK or Irish university interested in a meaningful and rewarding career in crop protection or related subjects.

There are 15 places available on the course, in which participants will be able to immerse themselves in the areas of entomology, plant pathology, weed science, nematology, applied ecology, fieldwork and networking.

Professor Simon Leather, one of the event organisers, said: “Each day during the week we’ll be looking at a different aspect related to crop protection.

“There’ll be a large emphasis on practical experience; going out into the field and doing practical lab work. There’ll be some lecture-style sessions, but the majority will be hands-on.

“We’ll be running an evening programme each day, which will be a mixture of social events and people coming in from industry to talk about their career and disciplines. In addition, there’ll be many opportunities to talk to postgraduate students.

“This summer school is an ideal event for someone that isn’t aware of the exciting careers and research opportunities available in the crop protection area. It’ll provide a great opportunity for students currently studying biology, ecology, plant sciences or zoology, to think about alternatives routes they can take after completing their studies.

“The crop protection industry is an area that really needs enthusiastic and highly skilled recruits, so there are some great career opportunities available out there.”

The summer school is being funded by a BBSRC grant which runs under their Strategic Training Awards for Research Skills (STARS). This project aims to support the development of strategically important and vulnerable research skills and capabilities in the biosciences.

Download the application form to apply for a place on the summer school

Please email Professor Leather with any questions (sleather@harper-adams.ac.uk).