The week began with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, emotions that were quickly outweighed by the excitement that fuelled me as I made my way to my first meeting. From the moment I met my team, I was inspired by the enthusiasm and curiosity of my peers as we explored the countless directions our research could take. Having never previously considered the possibilities of Active Learning in depth, I was eager to develop my understanding of this field and investigate the barriers that can limit its potential. It was exciting to begin exploring how Active and Experiential Learning can be used to create more engaging, impactful, and successful educational experiences.

During the week, I also had the opportunity to attend the University of Leeds Active and Experiential Learning Showcase Day. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and inspiring to be surrounded by academics and educators who are so passionate about creating effective, inclusive, and supportive learning environments. Throughout the day, I learned about a wide range of initiatives that connect students with industry partners and provide valuable real-world learning opportunities. I also had the chance to collaborate with university academics in designing a Living Lab, which encouraged thought-provoking discussions and offered valuable new perspectives on learning. The event sparked many insightful conversations, and I was particularly grateful for the opportunity to attend a live recording of The Experiential Effect Podcast featuring Professor Wendy Robinson and Professor Charlotte Haigh. Their discussion provided fascinating insights into experiential learning, and I would highly recommend tuning into the podcast!!

Towards the end of the week, it quickly became clear that my teams collective passion for research and lab-based learning was driving the direction of the project. Discovering a topic that genuinely excites us all has made me even more enthusiastic about the work ahead. Having created a strong foundation to build upon, I am looking forward to really sinking my teeth into the project and exploring this avenue in greater depth next week.