Placement-Based Dissertations 2019-20:Information for host organisations

What is a placement-based dissertation? Students studying on selected Masters programmes can apply to undertake a research project in collaboration with external host organisations, as an alternative to a traditional desk-based dissertation. Students will be based with their host organisation (in the UK or overseas) for 8-10 weeks during May & June. The student will analyse the data collected and submit a final research paper to both the host organisation and the University (as the Masters dissertation).

What are the aims of a placement-based dissertation?For organisations, placements offer the opportunity to host talented students with specialised knowledge relevant to their sector. The student will contribute to a pre-arranged research project in order to advance organisational objectives. For students, the projects provide excellent opportunities to think through theoretical ideas in ‘real world’ contexts and to gain transferable skills through applied, practical experience. The commissioned research paper will address a current research need within the host organisation, while also improving the employability of our graduates. We will work with organisations to ensure that placements are of mutual benefit to both the host and the student.

As the project forms an integral part of the student’s MSc degree there is no requirement to provide any form of remuneration. Students may be asked to undertake some limited work not directly related to their research, but this must not detract from the agreed project nor take up significant time or resources.

Placement Output: The Research PaperAt the end of the placement, the student will use the collected data to produce a 12,000-word research paper. The paper will be an extensive piece of academic writing. The exact format of the paper will be decided between the host organisation, the student and the University prior to the start of the placement. The format will be formally agreed via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by all parties. Students will also submit a 2-page executive summary with the main report.

What are the responsibilities of the host organisation? To provide a supervisor who will act as the student’s main point of contact. This supervisor will act as

gatekeeper to key contacts and other sources of information to enable the student to undertake the project. This supervisor must be available to meet or speak with the student on a regular basis regarding the project.

To provide the student with an induction to the organization. This should include an introduction to key contacts, a meeting to discuss mutual expectations, alongside logistical matters.

To liaise with the student before the placement starts in order to refine the research project and make anynecessary arrangements.

To sign the project off before it begins within the Memorandum of Understanding.

Which students can take part?Placements are assigned on a competitive basis, ensuring that the most relevant and qualified student is assigned to each project. Students are concurrently enrolled on courses which expose them to the most recent and relevant literature and debates on relevant topics. Students on the following degree programmes are eligible to apply:

All student applications will be assessed by a panel of academic staff. The panel will propose a suitable candidate for the placement. It is highly recommended that organisations interview the proposed candidate to ensure a mutually agreeable fit.

What is the timeline?

Date Action

September – November 2019

Project proposals constructed by host organisations in liaison with the University of Edinburgh.Organisations based outside of the EU will need to sign an EU Model Clauses Agreement. The agreement stipulates that any student data that the University will send to an organization (mainly via a student’s project application – CV and cover letter) should be securely stored by the organisation.

Monday 25 November 2019

Completed project proposal submitted to the Student Development Office: ssps.student-development@ed.ac.uk. The project form is within this document.

Thursday 19 December 2019

Projects advertised to students.

Wednesday 22 January 2020

Students submit applications.

Early February 2020 University Selection Panel meetsProposed student CV and motivation letter sent to host organisation. Host organisation asked to approve student or request an interview (via Skype if located outside Edinburgh). Please note: host organisations must ensure that a contact within the organisation is available to interview the candidate in February 2020.

Mid-late February 2020

Students notified by the University of application outcome.

March-April 2020 Memorandum of Understanding signed by student, host organisation, and University Programme Director. Communication between host organisation & student; required readings, refinement of research question, method planning etc.Organisation and student build a contingency plan to mitigate any risks stated in the project risk management form, found within this document.

Late April/May - June 2020

Students on placement: The host organisation will be asked to provide a named contact for the student and University to liaise with on all placement matters. This contact should be available to meet or speak with the student on a regular basis regarding the project. The University will provide academic supervision, as well as administrative oversight, throughout the placement;

August 2020 12,000-word paper submitted to host organisation, dissertation submitted to University.

MSc African StudiesMSc Africa and International DevelopmentMSc Childhood StudiesMSc Comparative Public PolicyMSc Global Environment, Politics and SocietyMSc Global Health PolicyMSc Health PolicyMSc International & European PoliticsMSc International Development

MSc International Development (Online Distance Learning)MSc Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and GovernanceMSc Medical AnthropologyMSc Nationalism StudiesMSc Public PolicyMSc Science and Technology in SocietyMSc Social ResearchMSc Sociology and Global Change

PLACEMENT-BASED DISSERTATIONS: PROJECT OUTLINE FORM 2019/20This form should be completed by the key contact in the host organisation and returned to ssps.student-development@ed.ac.uk by Monday 25 November. The information on the projects should be provided on how they currently are, and not what the project could be when the student arrives, as this will help to manage student expectations. Thank you for your interest in the placement scheme and we look forward to working with you.

Organisation details

Name of your organisation:

Type of organization: For example, NGO, CBO, Think Tank, etc.

Size of organization: These details are vital to ensure that there are enough staff members in the organisation to support a placement student. If there are a limited number of staff members within the organisation (3 or less), detail how the student would be supported.

The number of students you would like to host:

Placements work well with more than one student, but please note that each student must undertake a separate project (to be differentiated on separate forms).

Organisation details and context: Please give a brief overview of the organisation’s work/purpose/mission.

Project details

Please note that projects will be subject to refinement in liaison with the selected student in order to meet both the practical needs of the organization and the academic needs of the student.

Research Question:

Further details about the research project:

Please tell us: What is the overarching question? What is it, specifically, that your organization would like to know?

Please detail any key sub-questions and expand on the overall project. More detail will ensure better accuracy when matching students with projects. It is also important that you detail how developed the project is and how long work related to the project has been running for?

Method: Please detail how the students will be expected to answer the research questions, for example, desk research, interviews, survey, review of internal document, etc. If the student will be expected to devise the method, please simply state this. In addition, do state how accessible the data available is.

Research output and objective:

Please explain what you hope to get from the resulting research paper, the context of the research and how you might use the student’s work to advance your organisation’s objectives?

Any other project details:

Data requirements: It is non-standard and often ethically problematic for organisations to be provided with raw data. If you would like to receive any raw data please mention this here, so this request can be reviewed.

Contact details

Name of the key contact in your organisation:

Key contact email address:

Key contact phone number:

Location of project: This should be the physical street address, not a PO Box. The address should be as precise as possible, as the safety of the location will be checked against the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Office guidance. Students are forbidden to travel to locations that the FCO warn against “all travel” or “all but essential travel” to.

Further details

Proposed start and end date of project:

Projects must take place during May and June.

Additional requirements of the student

Specific skills the student should have, e.g. proficiency in a particular language, familiarity with a particular topic or research method, or any other useful attributes.

Research Permits & visas Please state the process students should follow for applying for research permits, if applicable. Include details of timeframes and costs associated with this. If you are unsure, then the University may be able to advise on this. Please also state the type of visa students should apply for to conduct research in your country (if outside the EU).

Local requirements Students MUST adhere to all local laws and requirements, e.g. Protecting Vulnerable Groups [PVG disclosure], other checks required to be carried out on the student’s background, or any other paperwork required before the student can undertake their research at your organisation.

Accommodation 1. Is there any accommodation associated with the placement?

2. If yes to question a) is it required that the student uses this accommodation b) has a health and safety check been carried out on this accommodation? Please attach pictures of this accommodation.

3. If yes to question 2a), how much will this accommodation cost per week?

Other costs Are there any other associated costs that the student will cover? E.g. extensive local travel, translator costs, research assistant costs etc. Please detail, including approximate amounts. Any local costs not stated here must be covered by the host organisation.

Will students be working with children, young people, or other vulnerable groups at any time (even briefly)?

Detail what criminal checks a student must undergo before undertaking this work?

By ticking this checkbox ☐ I confirm that:

the information provided on this form can be shared with prospective University of Edinburgh placement students and relevant academic and professional service staff members, in relation to placement promotion and matching.I consent to this information being stored securely in the University’s placement database and on the local secure drive.

Please get in touch if you have any queries or wish to discuss the Placement-Based Dissertation scheme in more detail. Once complete, please submit the form to the Student Development Office:ssps.student-development@ed.ac.uk

PLACEMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLISTThe Placement Health and Safety Checklist should be completed if the student will spend time physically based with the organisations or will conduct fieldwork in relation to the placement.

Health and Safety Checklist Yes No

Do you have a written Health and Safety Policy?

Do you have a policy regarding health and safety training?

If so, will you provide all necessary health and safety training for the student?

Is your organisation registered with the Health and Safety Executive or your Local Authority Environmental Health Department?

Insurance

Do you hold Employer and Public Liability Insurance?

Risk Assessment

Do you carry out risk assessments of your work practices?

Are the results of risk assessment implemented?

Accidents and Incidents

Is there a formal procedure for reporting and recording accidents and incidents?

Have you procedures to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to people at work?

Will you report to the University all recorded accidents involving students?

Will you report to the University any sickness involving students which may be attributable to their work?

RISK MANAGEMENT

In this section, please detail any potential risks a student could encounter when undertaking this project, and provide emergency contact details. This information will be shared with the student that has been allocated this project. They will liaise with you to create a contingency plan to mitigate these risks during the signing of the memorandum of understanding.

Project Risk Assessment

Adverse weather conditions

Detail if known weather conditions may impact the feasibility of conducting research. For example, will the project take place during monsoon season which may affect transportation and road infrastructure?

Communication Plan Who should be contacted if a student faces difficulty outside of placement hours (if the student is in an organisation outside of the UK)? Please list more than one contact, and explain the best way the student should get in touch with these contacts.

Conflict/Political Instability

Crime For example, should students guard themselves against common theft.

Cultural Any cultural or organizational norms a student should adhere to; are there any religious holidays taking place during the research period?

Designated working hours Confirm these hours, and if the student will be granted scheduled breaks & days of rest

Emergency services State the location & & contact numbers of a good local doctor, hospital and police station. Please also provide a transport plan to these services from the placement organisation

In-PersonInterview logistics

Where are interviews likely to be conducted? (NOTE: this should not take place in an interviewee’s home, but in a neutral location e.g. local coffee shop or organisation’s office). If students encounter anything illegal during this research, the University advises that they have to report this to the police. What policy does your organization have to support the disclosure of criminal activity?

Legalities Aside from the research permit, any legalities a student should be aware of when undertaking research?

Location of project Detail the infrastructure of the location of the project e.g. access to water, electricity, internet, bathrooms. Is the location of project in an isolated environment? Students cannot undertake fieldwork remotely

Medical For example required vaccinations, insect repellents, etc.

Phone and IT repair shops:

If in the event a student’s electrical equipment (phone or laptop) is lost, damaged or stolen, it would be helpful if the organisation could provide the details of a reputable local repair or electric goods shop so a student can buy a replacement or arrange to get this fixed.

Psychosocial Support How integrated would a student be in the team? If the project deals with sensitive subjects and in the case of ‘vicarious trauma,’ how could the organization support the students’ emotional welfare? The University will be able to advise on supports for the student if these are not available.

Travel during placement Note students are not allowed to use motorcycle transport on placement, and would be advised to hire a private car if this is the only travel available

Any additional risks not noted above