Reflection: British Conference of Undergraduate Research

Reflecting on attending this wonderful two-day event celebrating a diverse range of undergraduate research

Apr 08, 2026

Summi Ng

Undergraduate, Durham University

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Feeling very honoured and grateful to have been selected to present my research project (How mentally well and unwell UK international students use music for emotional regulation) at the British Conference of Undergraduate Research in Glasgow last Thursday! It was also wonderful to see some familiar (and new) Laidlaw Scholars!

This enriching two-day event featured keynote speeches, oral presentations by fellow undergraduate researchers, workshops, and panels by lead academics and alumni in their respective fields. One can only begin to describe the curiosity, knowledge, and insight bouncing between fellow student researchers and academics! I also had the pleasure of engaging with presentations from outside my field of expertise – from understanding the intricacies of lived AuDHD experiences to the impacts of Greenwashing on our economy. I was enlightened by both the diversity and interconnectivity between different kinds of research. I absolutely loved shamelessly nerding out with like-minded people!

I walked away from this event feeling refreshed and inspired. My worldview was very much put into a wider perspective, having learned from multiple fields of expertise. The conference had a running theme that especially stood out to me – the passionate call to action in building an equitable and sustainable future with integrity. We were brought to reflect on using language that perpetuates clarity and connection instead of division; on holding each other accountable to ensure the long-term well-being of people and the planet. I am amazed by how much impact we can have as students on our future – we’re not just learning; we’re participating in research, stepping into leadership, and actively shaping the world we’ll inherit.

I’ve been reminded to think about who I am as a citizen and how even small actions can create a meaningful impact. Nurturing gratitude, hope, compassion, and a practical mindset, while staying anchored in integrity and social responsibility, feels more important than ever.

Thank you very much to the Laidlaw Foundation for supporting me with this opportunity, and to the members of the British Conference of Undergraduate Research for organising this wonderful event.

Summi Ng

Undergraduate, Durham University

Hi there!

I’m a 1st year, soon-to-be 2nd year BSc Psychology student at Durham University.

“Why does sad music make us feel better sometimes?” pretty much sums up my interest in music and psychology.

On a deeper level, I will investigate how international students interact with music to make themselves feel better in different contexts. It is important to investigate cross-culturally as our world becomes more globalised. Moreover, I believe music can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, as it seems to have such a profound effect on everyone, regardless of where they’re from. Not only may music connect us all, but it can also connect us with ourselves.

The National Health Service in the United Kingdom has been struggling with high demand for mental health services, thus resulting in long waiting lists and inaccessible help when people need it most. I hope to advocate for music as a non-invasive, accessible, and sustainable facilitator of emotional regulation, thereby reducing the overwhelming need for pharmacological treatment.

Outside the Laidlaw Programme, I’m also a part of a youth Advisory Group for the ORIGIN project, which involves developing online cultural and art mental health interventions for underrepresented young people experiencing depression and anxiety. Please feel free to drop me a message if you’d like to participate or know more. ORIGIN is always looking for interested people!

Ultimately, my involvement in research builds onto my future career aspirations; I aim to be a Clinical Psychologist while encouraging the integration of arts and culture into mental health interventions.

I’m deeply interested in the interdisciplinary nature of music and psychology; however, I’m also excited to hear how other academic disciplines may interact and merge. Likewise, I enjoy multiple hobbies like playing the piano and ukulele, singing, cooking, crocheting, and reading. I think being a nerd about your interests is really cool, so if you’re like-minded, I’d love to chat with you!