• Inactive for Year: 2024/25

• Module Leader(s): Dr Katharine A. M. Wright

• Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Aims

Students enrolled in this module will enhance their research abilities and develop essential skills such as data and evidence collection and presentation, communication, leadership, teamwork, time management, and project management through active participation in a real research project. This module aims to support students to address a ‘real life’ policy issue, providing insight for policymakers and practitioners in Newcastle and the North-East of England. The module offers an opportunity for students to expand their expertise in effective research practices specific to public policy. Additionally, students will engage in critical self-reflection on their research competencies and other professional skills, encouraging them to leverage their strengths and address areas for improvement within the context of the research project.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module provides students with the opportunity to present solutions to a ‘real life’ policy issue drawn from Insight North East partners. They will be supported to connect theoretical concepts with real-world applications. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, case studies, and guest lectures from experienced policymakers, students will gain practical insights into the challenges and opportunities in public policy making.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will engage directly with practitioners and policy-makers to identify potential research questions. Students will then select a preferred project and be placed on a student research team for the duration of the academic semester. Students will be required to attend one weekly 2-hour lecture/project related supervision session and one weekly 1-hour small group teaching session in which students will discuss the progress of their individual research projects. Additional skills training (e.g. teamwork, project management, presentation skills, writing policy reports) will be provided through a series of prerecorded lectures. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their learning and skills development throughout the module. Findings will be presented directly to practitioners in a half day workshop at the end of the academic year.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment will primarily focus on individual performance through a structured research portfolio. This portfolio will consist of 2-4 pieces, covering various aspects of the research process, specific project details, and self-reflective exercises on skill development. This approach not only enhances personal research and reflective skills but also contributes to a collective group objective.

The individual portfolios will supply the research teams with essential resources to develop a policy report and presentation for their partner organization. This component highlights the value of teamwork and allows students to demonstrate their accomplishments.

Reading Lists

• POL8073's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• POL8073's Timetable