Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module FSOC40415: Becoming an Effective Environmental Researcher
Department: Social Sciences Faculty Hub
FSOC40415: Becoming an Effective Environmental Researcher
| Type | Tied | Level | 4 | Credits | 15 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap |
|---|
| Tied to | PG Certificate Environmental Research Methods |
|---|
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- FSOC TBC Conducting and communicating environmental research
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- Development of skills to enable personal effectiveness as a researcher in environmental science.
- Development of skills to enable working with others in environmental science.
Content
- Skill development that falls within the Vitae Researcher Development Framework 'Researcher' and 'Research communities' domains, such as research organisation, research collaboration, self-confidence, self-reflection, time management, leadership, networking and mentoring.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- A critical understanding of key concepts and approaches in conducting environmental research – alone and as part of a team, and a practical understanding of different contexts in which to apply them.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Research organisation.
- Research collaboration,
- Use of existing and emerging technologies and tools as required for research and in an appropriate context.
Key Skills:
- Development of personal effectiveness as a researcher (e.g. elements within the Vitae RDF 'Researcher' and 'Research communities' domains)
- Leadership
- Networking and mentoring
- Time management
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
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workshops | 11 | 3 hours | 33 | ||
| Offsite Activity | 4 | 6 hours | 24 | ||
| Supervision Sessions | 18 | 1 hour | 18 | ||
| Independent Study | 75 | ||||
| Total | 150 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Portfolio [Pass/Fail] | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Portfolio | 1500 words | 100% | |
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.