Volunteering

TO FINISH

To sign up now to become part of a our network please complete this short form in signing up you will:

• Receive the BIFoR bi-annual newsletter
• Receive news from our stakeholders about internships available / summer projects available
• Hear about opportunties to volunteer with BIFoR
• Hear from PhD students looking for regular additional support with lab / field work - training provided

We try to keep track of volunteering hours so we can give service awards and write references accordingly. It also helps you identify on your CV to future employers the level of commitment given.

• BIFoR Bronze Volunteer – completes 15 hours of volunteering
• BIFoR Silver Volunteer - completes 30 hours of volunteering
• BIFoR Gold Volunteer – completes 50 hours of volunteering
  
  Image right: BIFoR volunteers at an outreach Women in STEM event at the ThinkTank.

Volunteering with BIFoR can also count towards your Birmingham Award.

What do students say about volunteering with BIFoR?

Mattie Park, a Geography student at University of Birmingham said, "During my time at BIFoR I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the team, who made me feel like a valuable member, while also taking the opportunity to practice fieldwork skills in a proper outdoor laboratory. The work was interesting, enjoyable and I would thoroughly recommend gaining some work experience at BIFoR to anyone with an interest in that type of science." Read more

Rejwana, who completed a summer voluntary internship with BIFoR through the Nuffield Summer Research Placement said, "I have had so much fun on this placement and have learnt so much in a university environment. I would definitely recommend taking up one for BIFoR as bias as it is, I am grateful for this opportunity and all the people who have made this experience worthwhile." Read more

Ekta, who also completed a summer voluntary internship with BIFoR said, "I wholly enjoyed my experience as it was a real eye opener to exactly what kind of situations or conditions trigger a scientist to do research about a particular topic, or how research requires you to look at the specific details and look to improve the world around us – especially when the world is changing so drastically due to global warming." Read more.

Deemah, who came to us on a Nuffield Summer Research Placement said, " Overall, my experience at BIFoR was extremely entertaining and engaging; I’ve discovered much about trees and their significance to the environment and us, in particular, the different diseases that affect them which puts them at risk. This is something that I would recommend to aspiring scientists or researchers as I’ve been obliged for the opportunity. Read more.

Elizabeth Ogilivie, a second year Biosciences student at UoB, said “Volunteering with BIFoR has been a wonderful experience, I’ve learnt lots of new data handling skills, and become especially good at sorting the dried leaves collected from the woodland! It feels great knowing that the work I am doing is going to be used for real research that will help us to better understand the effects of climate change.”

Gold level volunteer Sarah Sheehan, who completed a summer placement said, “Each day was unique and varied, enabling me to gain deep insights into the different components”