Local-Global Innovation (Cornwall Research Seminar Series)
| Module title | Local-Global Innovation (Cornwall Research Seminar Series) |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEP3040 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Steffen Boehm (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
The University’s sustainability and circular economy research activity, defined in the very broadest sense, encompasses in excess of 200 research staff, working across many of our campuses, centres and institutes. This activity generates approximately a third of our research income across all disciplines.
At the forefront of this work is the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) on the Penryn campus: a £30 million interdisciplinary centre, pioneering research to provide solutions to problems of environmental change.
The Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE) has recently been established to carry out world-leading research in the field of circular economy, working closely together with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
By drawing on the specific expertise and strengths of the ESI and ECCE, and employing the Collaboratory methodology, which unites stakeholders to solve local or global problems, you will experiment with systemic approaches to collective social and environmental problem solving. You will gain access to this lecture series and the latest research discoveries explained to you by the researchers working on live projects based on the Penryn and Streatham campuses and beyond. This module offers a unique opportunity for you to gain first hand access to cutting edge research which is working to solve sustainability challenges in the fields of science, technology, climate change, resource management and medicine.
This module will also prepare you for your dissertation, helping you to gain vital research insights and learn about research methodologies.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will discover what it takes to conduct research within the sustainability and circular economy area and discuss local and global impacting research with leading academics from a range of disciplines.
You will attend a bi-weekly series of Local-Global Innovation seminars with an alternating focus between speakers and research paper discussions, and covering such topics as: Climate Change, Sustainable Futures, Humanities and Social Sciences, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Food Security and Land Research, Environment and Human Health, Earth Systems and Environmental Science.
Following each seminar you will then write short abstracts on the presented research, which will allow you to fine-tune your communication skills and increase your depth of understanding of the latest circular economy and sustainability research.
You will learn how to evaluate, synthesise and communicate cutting edge research to a wider audience. Writing clear, accurate and understandable summaries of long documents is frequently important in the workplace and this module provides a platform during which to develop this skill.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. read and discuss current research papers
- 2. describe the breadth of research in sustainability and circular economy in the context of social and/or technological innovation
- 3. explain the different approaches, the questions they address, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the approach
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. categorise sub-disciplines of sustainability and circular economy, and analyse relevant facts and theory
- 5. analyse and evaluate independently a range of research-informed literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
- 6. identify and implement, with limited guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for solving a range of complex problems in sustainability and circular economy
- 7. with minimal guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within sustainability and circular economy
- 8. describe and evaluate in detail approaches to our understanding of sustainability with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. devise and sustain a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
- 10. communicate coherent arguments, evidence and conclusions using a variety of formats/media in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 11. analyse and evaluate appropriate data and complete a range of research-like tasks with very limited guidance
- 12. evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to graduate-level professional and practical skills, and act autonomously to develop new areas of skills as necessary
- 13. critically reflect on learning experiences and evaluate personal achievements
Syllabus plan
You will attend a bi-weekly series of Local-Global Innovation seminars.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 134 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 11 | Lectures/Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 5 | Workshops |
| Independent Study | 134 | Additional research, reading and preparation for module assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion and Q&As during lectures/seminars | Ongoing throughout the module | All | Oral feedback |
| Abstract one trial | 500 words trial abstract | 1-4, 6, 8-13 | Written and Verbal feedback from tutor |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0 | 50 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework: Abstract one | 20 | 500 words | 1-4,6,8-13 | Written and verbal feedback from tutor |
| Coursework: Abstract two | 30 | 500 words | 1-4,6,8-13 | Written and verbal feedback from tutor and peers |
| Practical | 40 | Research Poster, presentation and discussion | 4, 5, 7, 9- 12 | Written and Verbal |
| Contribution to discussion | 10 | Evidence of contribution throughout the module | 3 | Peer |
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework: Abstract one | Coursework: Abstract one (20%) | 1-4,6,8-13 | July/August assessment period |
| Coursework: Abstract two | Coursework: Abstract two (30%) | 1-4,6,8-13 | July/August assessment period |
| Practical | Practical (40%) | 4, 5, 7, 9- 12 | July/August assessment period |
| Contribution to discussion | Reflective Essay (10%) | 1-13 | July/August assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
A student if deferred via a single component will be reassessed in that component only.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Core texts:
Muff K., (2014) The Collaboratory: A Co-Creative Stakeholder Engagement Process for Solving Complex Problems
Visser W., (2014) The Age of Responsibility: CSR 2.0 and the New DNA of Business
Additional reading material (primary literature/review articles) will be provided by seminar speakers after their talk and uploaded to ELE.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
As provided and recommended during classes and via ELE
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/09/2014 |
| Last revision date | 15/07/2020 |
