Your Idea, Your Research
Your Idea, Your Research:
How to pursue an interdisciplinary project
Module Code
- IL221-15 Level 5 (Intermediate)
- IL321-15 Level 6 (Year 3/Finalist)
When/Where
Autumn Term
Thursday 13:00 - 15:00
IAS Seminar Room
Assessment
- Abstract + Project Plan
- Reviewed and Revised Abstract + Reflective Covering Letter
- Interdisciplinary Research Project
What is the module about?
This dynamic module introduces you to the field of research and will support you to explore and reimagine what interdisciplinary research looks like. It aims to give you the space to develop your own ‘passion project’. Whether you begin the module with an idea to develop or not, this module will help you acquire the skills, knowledge and network to produce an interdisciplinary research project on a topic and in a format of your choice. It is your opportunity to shape what it means to be an interdisciplinary student researcher, how research is (and can be) conducted and developed into an output, and who you are as an interdisciplinary researcher.
The module will enable you to become an active learner and co-creator of course content while developing your own lines of inquiry throughout the module with support from staff and students from different disciplinary backgrounds. You will be empowered to contribute to the shaping of the University’s research culture, further enhance your disciplinary excellence by exploring how your existing knowledge and experiences, add value to the interdisciplinary research landscape, and to become confident interdisciplinary researchers of the future.
What will the module cover?
You will collaboratively explore what you believe research is or should be and consider the broad spectrum of intentions when it comes to conducting interdisciplinary research – is it to create a new artefact, with enterprise in mind? To inform a particular sector or industry? To raise public awareness? To review existing scholarly work and highlight or address gaps? To develop a piece of art or music to perform or share? Maybe it’s something else?
On this module, we will facilitate reflection on power structures and knowledge hierarchies, utilising interdisciplinary skills of reflection, collaboration, critical thinking and dealing with uncertainty to reconsider what we mean by ‘research’, and how to conduct it. You will draw on your existing disciplinary knowledge, experience and expertise to produce an interdisciplinary project. The project will be developed over the course of 10 weeks by working collaboratively in multidisciplinary peer groups each week, engaging with guiding interdisciplinary research themes, and will be supported by Module Contributors to acquire different perspectives on a topic of your choosing. You will work together towards the production of an individual research project (i.e. a Student-Devised Assessment) that you could then carry forward within and beyond the university.
1) Abstract + Project Plan (10%)
Reflecting on feedback and making revisions is an integral part of the research process. To emphasise the value of receiving, interpreting and engaging with feedback on research projects, your first assessment will be the first draft of your research project plan. You will submit a 200 word abstract and a 500 word project plan proposal to initiate the feedback dialogue.
2) Reflective Journal (40%)
You will review the feedback received from your first draft of their Abstract and Research Project Plan, as well as consider the formative peer review feedback received in Week 10, to revise your Abstract. Along with your revised 200 word Abstract, you will also submit a 800-word Reflective Covering Letter which will reflect on your interactions with the feedback received, what you have learned since receiving that feedback, how decisions were made to implement amendments and how you did this. This assignment will be submitted at the same time as your final Research Project (the Student Devised Assessment).
3) Interdisciplinary Research Project (50%)
Your final research project will be on a topic, and in a medium/format, of your own choosing (i.e. a Student-Devised Assessment of 2500 words or equivalent). You will be encouraged to reflect on your academic, personal and/or professional aspirations, as well as the kind of impact you would like to have with your research project.
Curious to see examples of IATL assessment? See our Assessment ExhibitionLink opens in a new window
Learning Outcomes
See module catalogue:
Please select: IL221 Level 5 (Intermediate)
Please select IL321 Level 6 (Third year / Finalist)
How to apply
Complete our online form to request your place.
Once IATL have confirmed you have been allocated a place, follow your home department's procedure to register.
Find out how this module relates to IATL strategy
