SRA Create research that becomes part of your academic profile
In 10 weeks a student goes from a research question to a finished academic paper in English, guided one-to-one by a mentor.
Not just a course about science. Real research experience
Synapse Research Academy is an academy where school students learn to carry out research and produce academic papers of their own. Each student works one-to-one with a mentor and moves through every stage of the project in turn: from choosing a field and framing a question to analysing sources, interpreting results and preparing a final paper in English.
We do not hand the student a finished project. Our job is to teach them to think independently, work with evidence, argue their conclusions and produce academically strong work.
An individual path
Topic, pace and project plan are chosen around the particular student.
Real scientific literature
Students work with actual English-language papers, not simplified retellings.
Regular feedback
The mentor works through every step in detail — from first draft to final text.
An independent final project
The result is work the student is able to explain and defend.
Grades show how a student learns. Research shows how they think
A strong academic profile
A research project can become a substantial part of a portfolio, a personal statement, a research supplement to an application, or a university interview.
A considered choice of field
The student explores the subject that interests them in more depth and works out whether they want to continue in it.
University-level skills
Students learn to find and evaluate sources, analyse data, write academically, build an argument, think critically and present results.
Academic English
Students work with English-language scientific sources, learn the terminology of their field and write their final paper in English.
An independent intellectual result
Instead of one more generic certificate, the student ends up with a finished piece of work they can explain and defend.
Student profile
10 weeks — from an idea to a finished paper
Choosing a field
Identifying the student's interests, assessing their current level and settling on a realistic topic.
What the student gets
- A dedicated mentor
- Weekly online meetings
- Independent assignments between meetings
- Detailed feedback
- Experience with English-language scientific literature
- Research and critical thinking skills
- A final research paper in English
- An SRA certificate on successful completion
- Access to the SRA alumni community
Proof of the road travelled
Participants who successfully complete the program and meet the project requirements receive a Synapse Research Academy certificate.
The certificate is not the main outcome of the program. The real value is the skills gained and the finished research paper.
Alongside the student is a researcher, not just a teacher
SRA mentors are master's students, doctoral candidates and researchers from a range of universities and scientific fields. We match the mentor to the topic, level and interests of the particular student.
Fields we cover
Before the program begins we assess what the student is looking for and propose a mentor whose expertise matches the chosen field.
Projects created by SRA students
How evening light from a smartphone screen affects melatonin, cortisol and circadian rhythms.
A theoretical model of how IGF2, via the TGFBR1 receptor, influences the entry of cancer cells into the bloodstream.
How tumours deprive T cells of resources in the microenvironment and reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy.