We have definitely shifted gears last week: we have accumulated concrete data, started analyzing it, and already written the introduction and structure of our research paper. After several weeks of preparation, it feels rewarding to see the project move into a more advanced stage.

Our survey has now reached around 200 responses, thanks to targeted sharing through our own networks, support from other Laidlaw Scholars, and outreach to student societies. This step has confirmed how valuable personal and institutional connections can be in gathering engagement quickly. Alongside the survey, we conducted interviews with two college Access Directors and organised focus groups with current Oxford students. These conversations have added depth to our understanding, helping us to see how both institutional priorities and student perspectives intersect in the volunteering landscape.

We have begun transcribing these interviews and focus groups, and the first stage of our qualitative analysis has started using NVivo. By mapping out recurring words and themes, we are starting to identify patterns in how students perceive volunteering, as well as the barriers that come up repeatedly. Combining this with our survey results will give us a clearer picture of the structural and cultural factors influencing student engagement.

Team life has also developed further over the past two weeks. A highlight was a painting activity, which served as a relaxed and creative team-building exercise. It provided an opportunity for everyone to express their personality in a different way and to enjoy time together outside the formal research setting. Moments like these have strengthened the sense of friendship and trust in the group, making collaboration on the project feel smooth and natural

As we enter our final week, everything is coming together. Our energy is concentrated on refining our NVivo analysis and turning our findings into a clear, high-quality research paper. This last step feels both intense and rewarding, and the team is highly motivated and fully locked in to produce a piece of work that reflects the effort and commitment we’ve put in throughout the summer.