Research Project Global Environmental Change & Policy

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AM_1266

Course Objective

Course objectives and learning goals The main objective of this course is for the students to develop a hands-on experience on designing, developing, writing, presenting and submitting an interdisciplinary socio-environmental research proposal (see Research Proposal Assignments Manual document). Collectively as a class, in group as teams, and individually, the students will work on the different phases and critical aspects of the interdisciplinary socio-environmental research proposal creation, from idea to submission. By the end of this course students should be able to:
• Think of creative and innovative socio-environmental interdisciplinary research ideas
• Assess and evaluate other people’s proposals
• Have a good understanding of research funding opportunities and challenges
• Synthesize and communicate your ideas orally and in written form
• Have a good understanding for organizational and time management aspects of a developing a research proposal
• Reflect on actionable impacts of research
• Develop both individual and team-based aspects of a research proposal

Course Content

Course description Interdisciplinary socio-environmental research generates useful innovative insights about the world’s pressing environmental problems by combining diverse forms of knowledge, academic disciplines and epistemological perspectives in creative ways. By focusing on the complex interaction of the natural environment and humans, interdisciplinary research can generate new insights and ways of thinking about particular sustainability challenges, which can lead to innovative learning, and new research discoveries and solutions for addressing these challenges. In this context, an important skill both in the academic world and beyond is to be able to acquire funding by putting forward a feasible and relevant research or project proposal. Learning to design, write and submit research and, or, project proposals is becoming a key ability in the professional development of academic scholars and other types of experts in the public sector, NGOs and consultancy arenas. The aim of this course is to coach students to work in teams and develop, write and submit an interdisciplinary socio-environmental research proposal. The final product, the research proposal, should in principle be sound enough to be submitted to a funding agency.

Teaching Methods

Format of the Course Sessions: We will mix lectures, discussions and group activities. Participation: The course has a team-based research proposal (the final assignment) as the main output. Key aspects of this course are related to giving and receiving feedback, exchanging ideas and critical opinions, presenting different parts of the work in progress. Moreover tricks, tips, and advice about the various aspects of the research proposal will be provided the scheduled classes. Therefore, attending every session and seminar is highly recommended. Preparation advice: We cannot stress enough the importance to hit the ground and start running from day one, actively participate and not fall behind. Also, please be aware that you need to coordinate and organize your work both individually and as a part of a team!

Method of Assessment

Grade and Assessment Criteria The final assignment will be a written team-based research proposal with an individual component. Leading up to the final assignment, there will be several presentation and written assignments. Some of these will be group, some will be individual assignments.