Knowledge Exchange in the Field
| Module title | Knowledge Exchange in the Field |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOCM036 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Angela Cassidy (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
Engaging effectively with diverse audiences and organisations beyond academia is a critical skill for advanced students across social science, natural science and humantities disciplines. Research conducted ‘in the field’ – located in communities, landscapes, farms and wider environments - brings with it specific challenges, as expert knowledge interacts with the experiential and place based knowledge of professionals (e.g. land managers, farmers, industry); local communities; and policymakers. In this module, you will explore multiple approaches to ‘knowledge exchange’, including working with mass media; public and policy engagement; and engaged, participatory and community led approaches to research. We will approach these issues via a topical focus on food, agriculture, and sustainability, as understood across the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities.
There are no pre-requisities for this module.
This module is suitable for specialist and non-specialist students from programmes across social science, natural science and humanities disciplines.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively engage with diverse audiences about field based research. It will also equip you with the necessary skills to critically interrogate applied research interventions, start developing collaborative partnerships and think strategically about engagement strategies.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate understanding of how to communicate specialist knowledge effectively, so that it is understandable and useful to those outside your field; alongside processes for participatory and engaged research.
- 2. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of core capabilities in knowledge exchange, including: public communication, policy development, co-production and impact.
- 3. Critically evaluate applied research interventions as a key interface between researchers and communities.
- 4. Demonstrate an understanding of relevant policy and policymaking processes.
- 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the social contexts of knowledge exchange in field based research.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of multiple modes of knowledge production, and a critical awareness of current debates around knowledge exchange for the development of sustainable agriculture and land management.
- 7. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of practical techniques for research & knowledge exchange in contexts of sustainable agriculture and land management.
- 8. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding that enables you to critically evaluate the potential importance of research beyond academia and translate this understanding into practices facilitating knowledge exchange.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Make sense of and make decisions about complex issues both systematically and creatively. Communicate research findings clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- 10. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
- 11. Demonstrate self-direction in advancing your knowledge and understanding and in developing new skills to a high level
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
Core Knowledge Exchange skills
- Effective communication skills; identification of and engagement with multiple publics
- Creating and developing public impacts with research findings.
- Influencing and learning from policy agendas: effective engagement with policy makers
- Clarity in writing for wider audiences.
Knowledge exchange in the context of food, agriculture, sustainability and the environment
- Developing debates around agricultural extension - engagement with farming communities and new technologies
- Adoption and adaption of technologies in local contexts; Ethical and political debates around new technologies.
- The social contexts of knowledge exchange; working towards sustainable farming and land management.
- Publics, public engagement, impact and participation.
- Transitions to sustainability in developed and developing countries.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 275 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 14 | 7 x 2 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 7 | External visit |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 4 | 2 x 2 hour seminars (student presentations) |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Reading |
| Guided Independent Study | 77 | Assignment preparation: conducting research, critical analysis, and writing the finished product. |
| Guided Independent Study | 8 | Preparation for individual presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | 150 | Research and writing of strategy document |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual student presentations | 10 mins | 1, 3-10 | Verbal |
| Formative writing exercise: media article / press release | 500 words | 1-11 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical analysis of agri extension | 25 | 2500 words | 1, 3-10 | Written |
| Knowledge exchange proposal + media | 25 | 2500 words (2000 word proposal + 500 w. media article/press release) | 1-11 | Written |
| Knowledge Exchange topical strategy | 50 | 3500 word strategy document | 1-11 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical analysis of agri extension | Critical analysis (2500 words) | 1, 3-10 | August/September reassessment period |
| Knowledge exchange proposal + media | Knowledge exchange proposal + media (2500 words) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
| Knowledge exchange topical strategy | Knowledge exchange topical strategy (3500 words strategy document) | 1-11 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Chilvers, J. and Kearnes, M. (eds) (2016) Remaking Participation: science, environment and emergent publics. London: Routledge
Leach, M., Scoones, I. and Wynne, B (eds) (2005) Science and citizens: globalization and the challenge of engagement. London: Zed Books
Leeuwis, C. and Van den Ban, A. (eds) (2004). Communication for rural innovation: rethinking agricultural extension. John Wiley & Sons
Wilkinson, C. and Weitkamp, E (2016) Creative Research Communication: theory & practice. Manchester University Press.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 09/05/2019 |
| Last revision date | 09/05/2019 |
