Summer 2026  ·  Now open

A published researcher
before you graduate

The Research Commons, City St George's

Whether you are heading towards medicine, a research career, or still figuring out what comes next, having your name on a peer-reviewed paper before you finish your degree is something that opens doors. In a competitive field, most people spend years working towards this. You could have it before you graduate.

Fully remote ~6 hrs per week 10 places only
Secure your place
About the programme

What is The Research Commons?

The Research Commons is a structured summer research programme open to City St George's students. You will contribute to one of two global mental health research projects led by an experienced researcher, with the goal of completing the manuscript before the new academic year. The paper will then be submitted for peer review and published in due course.

All work is remote and designed to fit around your summer. If you contribute meaningfully, you will be named as a co-author on the final paper.

"A published researcher before you graduate. Most people do not get this opportunity until much later in their careers. We want to change that."

2
global mental health research projects
5
places per project — 10 total
~6hrs
per week, fully remote
What you get

More than research experience

Named co-authorship
Your name on a real peer-reviewed paper, not a certificate of participation. The same credential that consultants and academics spend years working towards.
Direct mentorship
Supervised by a researcher with postgraduate training in global mental health, a Q1 publication, and active NHS and academic roles. You are not left to figure it out alone.
Practical research skills
Literature searching, screening, data extraction, thematic analysis, and academic writing. Skills that feed directly into your dissertation and future applications.
A story for every interview
Panels ask about research experience. A completed research workstream with a submitted paper to show for it is a story, not a bullet point on a CV.
Who this is for

Open to every City St George's student

Biomedical sciences
Applying to medicine
A publication before you apply is a genuine differentiator in a crowded field. Very few applicants have one.
Medicine
Foundation and specialty training
AFP and academic posts score research output. Building that record early puts you measurably ahead of peers who start later.
Mental health and beyond
Open to everyone
Both projects sit within global mental health, so they may particularly resonate if that is an area of interest. But this programme is open to any student who wants to gain real research skills and experience, regardless of where their career is heading.
All health sciences
Postgraduate and research careers
Whether you are heading into an MSc, a PhD, or a research role after graduation, a co-authored paper as an undergraduate is an exceptional starting point.
How the summer breaks down

Done before September

Now — late May
Register your interest. Places confirmed on a rolling basis until full. All registered students will be contacted in June with full details of the research projects, the protocol, and next steps for getting started.
June — onboarding
Onboarding and search strategy. One 90-minute online session introducing the project, the team, and what co-authorship requires. Scheduled around exam commitments and recorded if you cannot attend live. During this month we will define the search strategies, identify the relevant literature, and begin the screening process.
June — July
Screening and data extraction. Screening begins in June and continues into early July. Data extraction follows before the end of July. Fully async and remote, worked around your summer plans.
August
Drafting and reviewing the manuscript. You contribute to and review the paper. Co-authorship confirmed for contributors who meet the threshold.
September
Submission for publication. Paper submitted to a peer-reviewed journal as the new academic year begins. Your contribution formally documented and usable in applications immediately.

Places are capped at 5 per project. Meaningful mentorship does not scale beyond that. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the cohort closes as soon as places are filled. There is no guarantee of a second cohort this year.

Who is leading this

Led by a practitioner-researcher

MI
Mubarak Igal
MBBS · MSc Global Mental Health (Distinction) · Mental Health Project Coordinator, West London Mind · Guest Lecturer, City St George's, University of London · Published researcher, Q1 journal
With a clinical background, a decade of programme leadership in global health, and active research across trauma-informed care and mental health for displaced populations, The Research Commons is built by someone who has conducted and published research, delivered programmes informed by that research, and knows what genuine research training looks like.
Common questions

Things worth knowing

Can I do this while travelling or working a summer job?
Yes. The programme is async-first, around 6 hours per week, broken up however suits you. There are no mandatory live sessions beyond onboarding, which is recorded. The contribution window is wide enough to accommodate travel and other plans.
What if the paper is not accepted before I need to use it in applications?
Submission is the milestone. You can reference a submitted manuscript in applications from the moment it is submitted, and your contribution will be formally documented in writing regardless of journal timeline.
What counts as meaningful contribution for co-authorship?
Each project has a written contribution framework set out before you start. The threshold is designed to be achievable within the stated time commitment. There are no surprises.
Do I need prior research experience?
No. The programme is accessible from a zero research background. Training is built in. Motivation and reliability matter more than prior knowledge.
What are the research topics?
Both projects sit within global mental health. Full project briefs are shared with registered applicants before the cohort begins.

Register your interest

Takes two minutes. All registered students will be contacted in June with full details of the research projects, the protocol, and next steps for getting started. Places are confirmed on a rolling basis and the cohort will fill before June.