2025 / 2026

The BGL Faculty Summer Research Program offers current undergraduate students the opportunity to take part in a paid research project alongside our academic staff over December and January.

The program is designed to give students hands-on experience in real research projects — developing analytical skills, deepening subject knowledge, and building meaningful connections with academic mentors. It’s an opportunity to explore big ideas, contribute to impactful work, and gain valuable experience for future study or employment.

In the 2025–26 program, eight students participated across a diverse range of projects spanning business, government and law.

2025–26 Research Projects

1. How can technology support consumer well-being?
   Student: Shontelle Wood
   Supervisors: Raechel Johns, Janet Davey and Henna Leino
2. Responsible GenAI in higher education: Building a best-practice framework
   Student: Grace Nguyen
   Supervisors: Mark Teoh and Hao Yang
3. Economic history of Canberra
   Student: Ashley Tonkin
   Supervisors: John Hawkins and Brian Weir
4. The implications of alternative electoral systems
   Student: John Coleman
   Supervisors: JP Gagnon and John Hawkins
5. Does favourite music improve studying and academic outcomes for students?
   Student: Keziah Nelapati
   Supervisors: Michael Walsh and John Hawkins
6. The behavioural technology researcher’s toolkit
   Student: Harry Miller
   Supervisors: Rebekah Russell-Bennett and Ryan Payne
7. AI governance policies – Emerging trends for technology guardrails
   Student: Ashal Asif
   Supervisor: Ryan Payne
8. Testing Policies Before They Fail: Serious Games in Environmental and Agricultural Policy Development
   Student: Sarah Chapman
   Supervisors: Leonie Pearson and Lain Dare

Why participate?

Students in the Summer Research Program gain:

• Practical research experience
• Mentorship from leading academics
• Exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration
• A paid opportunity to build their academic and professional profile

The program reflects BGL’s commitment to personalised learning and research-led education — giving students the chance to step beyond the classroom and contribute to research that matters.