Learning with IATL

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Access IATL Support for Research Infused CurriculumLink opens in a new window

Read on below to find out about learning with IATL and our transformative educational experiences.

What is Learning with IATL Like?

What is Learning with IATL like? IATL’s curriculum is informed by three foundational principles: Research-Led Educational InnovationLink opens in a new window, Participatory Practices Link opens in a new windowand Inclusive Structures and Care-Rooted ApproachesLink opens in a new window.

Following these principles, all of IATL’s modules embed holistic, academically rigorous and inclusive experiences.

IATL’s focus on learning beyond disciplinesLink opens in a new window and learning beyond bordersLink opens in a new window means that you will use your disciplinary expertise to work with students from different cultures, countries and backgrounds, value each other’s perspectives and integrate your different forms of knowledge in inter-, trans- disciplinary learning spaces. Students in IATL modules will co-create with other students and staff across Warwick to address challenges facing our world.  

By learning beyond disciplines and borders, you will find that you are often led to new ideas, new approaches, new questions, and answers, as you, alongside other students and staff, explore issues and topics in new ways that bring together and merge disciplinary viewpoints. IATL promotes a research-infused curriculumLink opens in a new window, where you will develop your research skills through writing an abstract on your inter-, trans-disciplinary research as well as explore alternative forms of assessment that showcase your unique abilities and interests. The challenges facing the world require collaboration between disciplines, global approaches and, at the same time, demand a dynamic culture of student-led research.

We also value students’ capacity for innovation and enterpriseLink opens in a new window, and seek to support the development of new projects, new products, new business ideas, and new social enterprises. IATL is committed to developing engagement practicesLink opens in a new window on its modules to bridge between Warwick and the outside community.

The majority of IATL’s current modules, by nature of our inter- and trans- interdisciplinary provision, feature elements of education for sustainable developmentLink opens in a new window. Some examples are the modules Thinking WaterLink opens in a new window (PGT), Design Thinking for Social ImpactLink opens in a new window, and Understanding WellbeingLink opens in a new window. IATL has a long-standing interest in sustainability and offers modules that include a focus in Sustainable Development Goals such as Gender Equality, Good Health and Wellbeing, and Quality Education. Learning with IATL will provide you with the tools for doing justice to complex problems and big questions, knowledge for academic, personal and professional life, and the confidence to contribute to the research community at Warwick and beyond.

What are Inter- and Trans- Disciplinarity?

In essence, interdisciplinary learningLink opens in a new window is the process of acquiring knowledge and skills across different disciplines. In this process, you will experiment with different disciplinary content and methods, broadening your intellectual horizon and developing a critical, holistic approach to complex problems that often exceed the boundaries of single disciplines and of traditional disciplinary scholarship. that often exceed the boundaries of single disciplines and of traditional disciplinary scholarship.

Transdisciplinary learningLink opens in a new window is about bringing together different disciplinary approaches and engaging knowledge and practice in the real world to solve complex problems. This is where IATL not only connects students to what is going on beyond academia, but encourages them to consider what and how knowledge and viewpoints from the outside world can be synthesised into their learning journeys.

How does IATL Infuse Research and Enterprise in the Curriculum?

At IATL, we believe in the powerful synergy between inter- and trans- disciplinary learning and student-led researchLink opens in a new window. And IATL is here to help you see yourself as an inter- and trans- disciplinary learner and researcher—identities essential for impactful, beyond-disciplinary learning Link opens in a new windowjourneys.

In each of our modules, you will be empowered to lead your own learning, pursuing independent inter- and trans- disciplinary research that aligns with your unique curiosity and interests. By building bridges across and beyond disciplines, you will be encouraged to excel in your research through meaningful connections between diverse fields, enriching your academic journey and broadening your perspectives. Your research will flow naturally into assessments thoughtfully designed to foster in-depth exploration and original inquiry. You’ll have considerable flexibility in presenting your work through alternative assessment options, such as the Student Devised Assessment (SDA). Moreover, you will have the opportunity to present your assessment research widely via several platforms, including exhibitions, conferences and journals

Thus, you will gain valuable research experience—adding sought-after skills to your CV—all through taking any IATL module!

Indeed, by engaging with the ‘learning beyond disciplines’ curriculum, you will discover a fertile ground for novel research ideas but also for the development of your entrepreneurial skillsLink opens in a new window. In fact, IATL recognises the intrinsic entrepreneurial spirit within our multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary learning environments. These learning spaces encourage you to explore innovative approaches that merge different disciplinary viewpoints, helping you step outside your comfort zone and navigate the excitement and uncertainty that come with these experiences. In doing so, you will have a unique opportunity to develop transferable enterprise skills, with some modules offering collaboration with local and national entrepreneurs, start-ups, incubators, and organizations. Additionally, you will be able to create new projects, products, business ideas, and social enterprises as part of your learning and assessment journey, all while connecting with key stakeholders at Warwick who are dedicated to supporting these initiatives.

How will IATL’s Learning Approach Benefit Me?

You will work together with students and staff from radically different disciplinary backgrounds, from the Life Sciences to the Arts and Humanities, from Engineering and Medicine to the Social Sciences. This is something unique to IATL – something that is not common in the majority of cross-faculty departments.

You will democratically collaborate with students and staff alike from a diversity of cultural backgrounds, value each other’s perspectives, and integrate their different forms of knowledge to actively promote change across the curriculum and beyond.

You will follow your curiosity, exploring topics that are interesting to you while starting from, and beyond, your disciplinary background.

You will develop your skills and grow in confidence as a student-researcher whose unique perspectives and ideas are integrated into the curriculum.

You will be supported in pursuing the development of new projects, new products, new business ideas, and new social enterprises and connect with other critical Warwick stakeholders in this area.

You will develop transferable enterprise skills, especially those related to problem-solving, team-work, and communication.

You will learn how to bring together and merge disciplinary viewpoints as well as experiential knowledge and apply your thinking to complex, real-world problems, and face the exciting challenge of finding complex solutions to them.

You will contribute to co-creating knowledge, in the classroom, in assignment tasks, and in assessments.

You will learn how to communicate with and engage different audiences.