Introductory description

This module is the capstone project module for GSD Masters students wishing to develop the necessary learning for a career in knowledge creation and management through research, in either the academic or applied spheres.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The purpose of this dissertation module is to promote research skills and understanding of principles of research dissemination through the selection of an appropriate output for communicating the research project, its methods, and findings.

In the early stages of the module, students will compile a project management plan. Students will then complete their research project, and present it in the format of either a journal article or a policy briefing-type document, or will select a different form of output such as an exhibition, artwork, graphic comic, documentary or video, although other formats will also be considered (hereafter 'creative output'). If the student selects a journal submission they should identify an appropriate journal, and present their work according to the submission guidelines for manuscripts. If they select a creative output, they must identify any training required and how that will be accessed, and a breakdown of hours for producing the output showing that it is manageable within the workload hours expected for the module.

The module will culminate in a viva, where students will present their research to a panel in a 30 minute viva, including a 10 minute oral presentation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Engage in issues of transformation and change with a sophisticated understanding and application of appropriate evidence and scholarly research, in both analysis of the situation and the development of potential responses
• Identify and diagnose the complexity of real world problems, with particular attention to understanding the interactions between human communities, technology and ecological systems, over multiple generations and between demographic groups and cultures; and assess the outcomes of potential interactions within different domains and at different scales
• Describe complex issues in clear terms and communicate about them effectively and succinctly, both orally and in writing
• Undertake self-managed knowledge creation and learning as part of a problem-based, focused response to issues of sustainable development.

Indicative reading list

Brown, V. A., Harris, J. A., & Russell, J. Y. (Eds.). (2010). Tackling wicked problems through the transdisciplinary imagination. Earthscan.

Kueffer, C., Underwood, E., Hadorn, G. H., Holderegger, R., Lehning, M., Pohl, C., ... & Edwards, P. (2012). Enabling effective problem-oriented research for sustainable development. Ecology and Society, 17(4).

Wiesmann, Urs Martin, Hans Hurni, Cordula Ott, and Claudia Zingerli. "Combining the concepts of transdisciplinarity and partnership in research for sustainable development." (2011): 43-70.

Research element

Healey & Jenkins (2009) propose that Research-led-teaching design should consider four discrete opportunities. This module has been designed to include three of these opportunities.

1. Research-led learning, where the module syllabus is developed from current research in relevant fields, being based on contemporary and seminal, peer reviewed and other high quality research literature.
   As such, all knowledge for student engagement will be consciously and specifically chosen for its merits in reference to broader academic understanding. This will initially include developing a realistic project management plan prior to undertaking research.

2. Research-tutored learning, where students engage actively in discussing high quality, contemporary and seminal research literature. This module will provide students with the opportunity to critically identify existing gaps in the wider academic knowledge and understanding.

3. Research-based learning, where student use developing methodological skills to create original knowledge of their own. This module will provide students with the opportunity to design and conduct their own research project, while developing skills in effective research communication and dissemination.

Interdisciplinary

Positive global transformations are widely recognised to require transdisciplinary knowledge creation, and this module builds on previous transdisciplinary methodology learning to provide an opportunity to develop primary knowledge creation process skills, through the completion of a substantial research project.

Authentic assessment will require students to demonstrate transdisciplinary aptitude, in the creation of a project management plan and an academic or practitioner output. The Viva will further support students to develop appropriate research communication skills while demonstrating their understanding of their chosen topic, and approaches to transdisciplinary research.

Transdisciplinary aptitude will be explicitly embedded in relevant marking rubrics developed for use across the degree, as adapted from the standard university scale and descriptors.

International

Subject to appropriate clearances through relevant governance frameworks, students will have the opportunity to undertake research in other national contexts if they so wish.

Subject specific skills

Subject specific skills will be directly linked to the projects designed and undertaken by the students. Projects will be linked to the Sustainable Development Agenda, integrating elements of the Economic, Environmental and Social pillars of sustainability.

Transferable skills

Project Management
Transdisiplinary project development
Communication and dissemination skills, both oral and written, and, as appropriate, 'creative'.
Problem-solving, solution-focussed approaches to sustainable development issues.