Cambridge University Library’s skills programme empowers young researchers

For many sixth formers, pursuing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is their first opportunity to undertake independent research on a subject of their choosing. It’s a taste of university-level learning for students aged 16–18.  

In 2023, Cambridge University Library (CUL) spotted an opportunity to engage these Key Stage 5 (KS5) students with the University’s research collections and set out to equip local EPQ students with tools to help them individually shape their curiosity about a topic into a stand-out academic project. Students are introduced to scholarly resources, unique archive material and quiet study spaces. Beyond this, training in how to approach research supports them to develop literacy skills essential for navigating the contemporary information landscape. 

As one of five designated National Research Libraries, and the only place regionally offering access to the depth of UK heritage held under legal deposit, CUL is uniquely positioned to support knowledge exchange with the local community. The EPQ project is a great way to achieve this, widening the societal impact of CUL services and increasing equitable access to the research collections the Library cares for. 

A partnership approach to learning

The three-year project pilot launched in September 2023, with CUL building partnerships with local state sixth-form colleges. Originally backed by the Darwin Correspondence Project Trust Fund (which was generously supported by the Evolution Education Trust) and further enabled by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), the initiative is led by CUL’s Programmes and Participation team.  

Now in year two, active partners include Hills Road, Long Road, and Chesterton Community College, whose students are currently offered: 

• free membership of the University Library;
• induction and orientation tours;
• study skills sessions on topics including critical evaluation and understanding plagiarism;
• stimulus days and triage interviews, introducing them to curators and collections relevant to their research;
• access to the UNESCO-recognised Charles Darwin Archive, where they engage directly with primary sources. 

These activities help individual students to become confident and independent research library users who are well-prepared for university education – whether their research output is a poetry anthology exploring societal protest, a boardgame for neurodivergent players, or a crocheted representation of the internal human body!   

CUL collaborates with staff at the Sixth Forms to shape the programme to meet student needs. Dr Nicolle McNaughton, EPQ Co-ordinator at Hills Road Sixth Form College, said: “I have seen first-hand how access to these services can benefit students… equipping them with the skills to navigate complex collections.” Teodora Reavely, EPQ Co-ordinator at Chesterton Community College, agrees that the project allows students to develop into more mature readers and critical thinkers, adding that “our students come from a variety of backgrounds, and this is an invaluable opportunity for them.” 

Laura Williams, EPQ Co-ordinator at Long Road Sixth Form College, is also enthusiastic: “The students are extremely excited to be able to visit a building that is a landmark in their local community but that they have not had the opportunity to access.” 

Positive impact on student learning and research skills

Student participants also inform the project’s continuous development: at the end of the first pilot year, the response from student participants was overwhelmingly positive, with 71 students returning a survey, from which CUL learned: 

• the average helpfulness of orientation tours was rated 4.6 out of 5;
• 44% of students visited the library four or more times;
• the top reasons for using CUL were to conduct research for EPQ, followed by to use study space. 

Three students took up the opportunity for curated access to the Darwin Archive, with one reporting: “I gained an insight into theories people in the 19th century had about the origins of music and why the human brain associates different sounds with emotions... very relevant to my project on music therapy.” 

Student experiences have guided CUL to make changes to the way the programme is delivered, such as introducing hands-on practice in using the library’s discovery platform. These adaptations are already improving student confidence and uptake in year two.  

The impact is now growing beyond the pilot schools, and CUL is excited to welcome the next generation of researchers. By the end of the pilot period, the Library aims to be working with more Cambridgeshire Sixth Forms, reaching more students year on year. To keep up to date with how the project develops, take a look at the latest news stories from CUL. You can contact the Programmes and Participation team at participation@lib.cam.ac.uk.