Program for Undergraduate Research Experience in History

The Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) provides undergraduate students with support to conduct research in the summer months, developing research skills and engaging in experiential learning.  Last summer, History Major William Gillies, was awarded a PURE grant for his project “The Spatial Geography of Mental Health in 20^th Century Britain: The Epsom Hospital cluster.” Gillies explains that as a mature student, he was able to combine skills he had previously acquired working as a cartographer with his current studies in history to undertake this project, which enabled him to map the spatial development of a cluster of mental hospitals in Greater London over the course of the twentieth century. Combining GIS with historical methods, he analysed spatial changes at site and drew conclusions about how government policies regarding the provision of mental healthcare changed over time.  The PURE award is a fantastic opportunity for history students to engage in experiential learning, and we encourage students to attend upcoming information sessions at apply to be a part of this summer’s cohort of undergraduate student researchers.