"An invaluable resource for postgraduate researchers..."

The Zoo is an interactive space in which postgraduate students can experiment with and receive training on new technologies. This concept builds on the success of the Beyond Distance Research Alliance Media Zoo for staff and university associates, recently described in the Guardian as a "cutting edge research laboratory" and shortlisted by the Times Higher Education and Joint Information Systems Council for the 2008 Outstanding ICT Initiative Award. The Graduate School Media Zoo allows young researchers to experiment with new technologies for academic networking and collaboration, research presentation and dissemination.

The Graduate School Media Zoo was officially opened 25 November 2009, by Malcolm Read, the Executive Secretary of JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee)

This innovative development has been welcomed by students. Malcolm Noble, a current PhD student, commented “Web 2.0 is increasingly important and it is vital that students are conversant with the technologies involved. The Media Zoo provides an invaluable resource for postgraduate research at the University and equip students with useful skills transferable outside academia.”

Professor Gilly Salmon, Professor of E-learning & Learning Technologies, who pioneered the concept of the Media Zoos said: "Our graduate students wish to get the absolute most from the huge range of knowledge technologies and tools to support their research and learning – and prepare themselves to make great contributions to the world of the future. But the diversity and choices of platforms and approaches are complex. The Graduate School Media Zoo sets out to offer relatively easy options, trials and examples to enable them to develop more learning for less effort!"

The Media Zoo will be staffed by a recent University of Leicester doctoral student, Emma Kimberley, who said: “It is fundamental to research support for the 21st century researcher. The University of Leicester is a leading provider of postgraduate education in the UK. The Graduate School Media Zoo will provide essential training for our research postgraduates – the academics of the future – encouraging innovation and enabling them to develop their skills at the cutting edge of research technology in an accessible and supported environment”.

Find out more about the Graduate School Media Zoo here.