Module FSOC40045: Conducting and Communicating Environmental Research

Department: Social Sciences Faculty Hub

FSOC40045: Conducting and Communicating Environmental Research

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• FSOC TBC Becoming an Effective Environmental Researcher

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• Development of high-level skills to enable effective conduct of environmental science research.
• Development of skills to enable effective communication of environmental science to diverse audiences.

Content

• Skill development that falls within the Vitae Researcher Development Framework 'Research' domain, such as quantitative and analytical skills, information literacy, project management, research integrity and ethics, communication, publication and impact.

Learning Outcomes

• A critical understanding of key methods for conducting environmental research, and a practical understanding of different contexts in which to apply them.
• Understanding of specific aspects of research management that might apply to environmental science.
• Understanding of relevant audiences and how to communicate environmental research to them.

• Coding, quantitative and analytical skills.
• Reviewing and bibliographic management, open research, project and financial management.
• Writing, creating presentations and verbal communication of environmental science to diverse audiences.

• Development of key environmental science research skills (e.g. elements within the Vitae RDF 'Research' domain, and how those are applied within modern environmental science)
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Research integrity and ethics
• Information and data literacy

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This module will be delivered by a range of researchers and professional support staff from Iapetus institutions, as well as external consultants.
• Delivery will principally be via workshops and seminars but will also include experiential learning through multiple aspects of conducting a PhD and associated placements.
• Contact hours in the table below are indicative and will vary between students, depending on their opportunities for experiential learning, and needs identified in an annual Development Needs Analysis. A mix of Workshops and Seminars are expected, along with conferences and interactions with collaborators and their Supervisor.
• The module will be summatively assessed by a Training Portfolio including reflective summaries of training undertaken, skills and understanding gained, and how these will be of benefit; the portfolio might also include evidence of training, attainment or outputs from training. The Portfolio will be marked on a pass/fail basis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Verbal and/or written feedback from (a) supervisory team; (b) director at PhD Host Organisation; (c) Academic Director of Iapetus DTP, and by workshops at triannual DTP events. All students will be given the opportunity for 1:1 feedback at events or via Teams.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.