Collaborative Masters dissertations initiative 2012

Application deadline 4pm on Friday 30th November 2012

GRAMNet’s Collaborative Masters Dissertations initiative is based on an awareness that many organisations in the public and third sectors are in need of good quality research and that master's students are often eager to gain 'real life' work experience and to conduct research which has immediate relevance to the world beyond academia.  The collaborative masters dissertations initiative was developed and piloted through CEES (Central and East European Studies in the School of Social and Political Science) in 2010/11.

The Initiative is now in its third year and previous Initiatives have resulted in both excellent dissertations and a range of other outputs produced during a one-month internship at the partner organisation following successful submission of the dissertation.  Read further details including student testimonies.

The outline projects below have been developed in collaboration with partner organisation from the public and third sector and these have been refined to fit with both the partners’ research needs and appropriate demands and expectations of a Masters dissertation.  The student will take the lead in further developing these outline proposals, and the application process is the first stage in this.

Those students who are successfully matched with projects will receive all necessary academic guidance and support from academic supervisors.  Students will also have a direct contact within the partner organisation, who will help to facilitate the research.  There will be a training event in January/February 2013 for all students, academic supervisors and partner organisations involved.  The dissertation will be submitted in August/September 2013 as normal and will be assessed on the same basis and academic criteria as any other master’s dissertation relating to the programme of study.  Thereafter students will undertake a one-month internship, working directly with and under the supervision of the partner organisation in order to translate the research findings into outputs appropriate to the needs of the partner organisation (during October 2013).

Students may now apply for the opportunity to undertake one of these projects for their dissertation.  This is a competitive process and only high quality applications will be successful.

Application process

The project outlines below provide brief details of the key aims of the project and some suggested research methods.  They also outline the outcomes desired by the project partners and the basic forms of support and assistance which they will be able to provide.

Using the outline as a starting point, students should develop a fuller research proposal for the project (max. 1000 words).  This should include:

  • Research background and rationale, including suggested theoretical framework(s)
  • Research aims
  • Research questions
  • Methodology, including any anticipated ethical concerns
  • A list of key literature and other sources to be consulted (not incl. in word count)

Applications should be submitted electronically, together with a current CV, to your PG Convenor/Subject Contact (details below) no later than 4pm on Friday 30th November 2012.

Selection process

Applications will be shortlisted by subject area convenors and forwarded to Rebecca Kay for final selection and matching with funding for the internship.  This second stage in the application process may involve a short interview with the project partner. Applicants will be informed of the outcome early in 2013.

2012 Collaborative Masters Dissertation Projects

Please see the table for details of the projects available.  Make sure you read the application information before applying! Download: 2012 Collab Masters Application process

KE OrganisationProject titleDownalod Project Info
BEMIS Human Right Education: Gaps and Opportunities to progressing HRE in Scotland Education settings BEMIS Human Rights Education 
BEMIS Race Equality between Visible & Invisible approaches to diversity:  a comparative study of social exclusion and invisible difference BEMIS Invisible Minorities‎
BEMIS Interrelation of  Race Equality & Youth Employment and its Impact on Active Citizenship BEMIS Youth and Unemployment 
COSLA Strategic Migration Partnership The Impact of Migrant Children in Glasgow Schools COSLA Migrant Children in Glasgow Schools 
198 Contemporary Arts and Learning Title TBC 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning 
Faith in Community Scotland’s Transformation Team Assessing the impacts of structured support for community led anti-poverty work   FIC Community Led Anti-poverty Work  
UNITY in the Community (Glasgow) Review of the UK Border Agency’s Family Returns Procedure with regards to children’s welfare and rights  Unity Children’s Welfare and Rights 

PG Convenors/Subject area contacts

If you have any questions about the scheme or the application and selection process, please contact Professor Rebecca Kay (Rebecca.Kay@glasgow.ac.uk)

IMPORTANT NOTE
Only open to currently registered University of Glasgow Masters Students.