Civic Engagement Research Project (Study Abroad)

Overview

The Civic Engagement Research Project (Study Abroad) module offers an opportunity for international Study Abroad students to work on a pro bono research project for a civil society organisation. Project sponsors, in the past, have included government agencies (e.g. Belfast City Council), non-governmental organisations (e.g. Belfast Hills Partnership) and charities (e.g. Habitat for Humanity Ireland). Students normally work in teams. Each team is mentored by an academic and a representative of the civil society organisation. A list of live projects is maintained by the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). The range of projects available reflects the research expertise of the academic staff participating in the module. Projects may draw on expertise within Archaeology, Palaeoecology, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Planning, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics or Electrical Engineering. Placement on a project is at the discretion of the project’s academic mentor and, as appropriate, the academic coordinator of the home institution. Under the mentorship of an academic and civic partner, students gain valuable practical experience in project design, data collection, analysis, interpretation and the communication of findings to a variety of different types of audiences.

Learning Objectives

On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated:

- How their academic studies, associated learning and key skills can inform complex and difficult decisions that confront government agencies, non-governmental organisations or charities.
- How to use ideas and techniques introduced within their academic studies to frame appropriate research questions, gather information, describe, analyse and make informed judgments and communicate these findings effectively to a variety of different types of audiences.
- How to exercise initiative, personal responsibility and team working skills in fulfilling a time-limited project brief for a civic partner organisation to an agreed schedule.

Skills

Students completing this module will have acquired skills in: project design; problem-solving; project management; independent research; team-working; collaboration and networking; self-efficacy; communication and presentation of ideas to a variety of different types of audiences.

Assessment

Presentation of project findings to project sponsor as an oral presentation and as a report or other output as specified by the sponsor. In addition students must submit an individual reflective commentary.