ANU1 - Mobilising Research

20 June 2016 – 15 July 2016
Hosted by Australian National University

If only this army of scientists and technologists could be diverted from technology autonomous, and organised for the good of society! Many thousands of them, of the best and most intelligent, are deeply conscious of the fact that we have got our priorities wrong.
Denis Gabor, 1971 Nobel Prize winner writing in New Scientist, May 1972.

Mobilising Research challenges and supports students to explore the role of research for the good of society. The course will examine the linked themes of ‘creation', ‘implementation’, and 'influence' of research. These themes will be explored by viewing research as a foundation for creating and building knowledge, the importance of evidence in approaching complex problems, and the influence that research organisations have to shape society's priorities.

Field Trip

The course will include a field trip to the ANU Kioloa Campus. The trip is an opportunity to engage in interactive activities in a relaxed environment, as well as to explore local indigenous culture and environmental management and the beautiful beaches and wildlife of the NSW south coast.

Watch a video about Kioloa Campus.

Students will travel by bus from Canberra to Kioloa and the trip takes approximately 3 hours by bus.

Target Audience & Prerequisites

This course is aimed at high-achieving, later year undergraduates (Bachelor students) from all disciplines who are aiming for further studies in graduate level research.

Prerequisites

Students are welcome from all disciplines but should have demonstrated interest in research during their studies.

ANU students specific prerequisites:

VCUG2002 Leadership & Influence, VCUG3001/LAWS3001 Unravelling Complexity
OR
96 ANU units completed at time of application
OR
PhB (or equivalent degree program) student

Delivery Method & Learning Outcomes

Mobilising Research will examine the role of research for the advancement of society. Students will be exposed to how scholarly inquiry is conducted in a range of disciplines outside their own course of study through interactive panels and site visits to leading research facilities on campus.

Students will see the world through the eyes of others, appreciate the strengths of different perspectives and understand how positions are reached and opinions formed. Through individual, group and peer-learning, students will have the opportunity to analyze, synthesise, evaluate, apply and communicate knowledge about the current research environment.

Course structure:

Students will be treated as part of the research community at ANU. We will investigate the broader questions around research from multiple perspectives.

Topics include:

• the role of research in shaping the public good;
• scholarship in and between the disciplines;
• ownership of knowledge for the public good;
• cultural perspectives on research in a globalised world;
• organisational implementation of research;
• mobilisation of research for the public good.

As an interdisciplinary course, the course structure for Mobilising Research is atypical. This course is delivered in an intensive mode. A standard day in the schedule of Mobilising Research involves a seminar from leading researchers in their field, a tutorial session run by your peers and a public event as part of the ANU research community.  

The course will culminate in a Presentation Evening, when students will have the opportunity to present their visions of future research to an audience of high profile ANU academics.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

• LO1 - describe, identify and frame societal issues and problems in forms that can benefit from the application of research;
• LO2 - explain and critique the structures that support and constrain the research environment;
• LO3 - consider and explain disciplinary characteristics of research and knowledge dissemination;
• LO4 - collaborate to integrate research across disciplinary and cultural boundaries in multilingual teams;
• LO5 - evaluate the effectiveness of research-based interventions and contributions that address societal problems.

Assessment

Details about the assessment will be negotiated with students during the first days of the course. The assessment will be made up of three components, with the following suggested weightings:

• Tutorial co-facilitations - 20%
• Group research portfolio and presentation - 30%
• Individual learning portfolio and 3-minute talk - 50%

Credit equivalent at host university & contact hours

6 credits at host university. (ANU full time students take four classes at 6 units each, so 24 units per semester.)

Students will be asked to prepare for the course ahead of time by completing approximately 5 hours of allocated reading and resources.

As the course is run in intensive mode, classes will be scheduled for morning and afternoon sessions, Mondays through Thursdays.

All students should expect approximately 12 hours of contact per week, made up of panels/seminars, tutorials and site visits. Students will also need to commit to eight hours of independent learning or group project work per week.

Students will also be invited to engage in ANU public lectures outside of class time, typically in the evenings.

Students will be asked to complete a pre-task before arrival at ANU. The task involves synthesizing three essays and to provide their cultural perspective on these ideas in Who speaks for and protects the public interest in Australia? (available here). Students will be asked to present their ideas during the first days of the course. More information about this task will be available upon admission into the course.

Lecturer(s) / Tutor(s)

Course convenor: Chris Browne

Visiting and other lecturers/tutors to be advised. It is anticipated that lecturers from selected IARU partners will teach into the course.

Accommodation

19 June – 7 July, 11 July – 16 July, Bruce Hall, ANU

Students will stay in single rooms that include a single bed, wardrobe, desk, chair and washbasin. The rooms are centrally heated and carpeted and are amongst the largest rooms available on the ANU campus. Toilet and shower facilities are located on each floor. For more information: http://brucehall.anu.edu.au/

7 – 11 July, Kioloa Coastal Campus

The ANU Kioloa Campus is located near Bawley Point on the New South Wales south coast. This historic rural property extends from the beach through coastal dunes to farmland and forests on the inland range of hills.  The Kioloa property was given in perpetuity to The Australian National University in 1975 for the express purpose of conducting field teaching and research. Accommodation at Kioloa is in multi-room cabins with shared facilities. For more information: http://kioloa.anu.edu.au/

Important Additional information:

• Students must arrive by 19/06/2016
• Students will be able to check in from 19/06/2016.
• Check-out date 16/07/2016
• There is no option for students to stay longer in ANU accommodation.

Costs

Figures are estimates only. Click on each item for details.

Visa

Estimate of visa fee: An Australian Visitor or Tourist visa may allow you to study in Australia for up to three months in a non-award program, and you are encouraged to investigate if this will apply in your individual circumstance.  On request the ANU GSP coordinator can provide supporting letters for your visa application.

The visa fee will vary depending on how long students choose to stay in Australia following the program.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they apply for the right type of visa, meet the application requirements and understand their obligations while in Australia.

Information about visas is available from your nearest Australian visa office and may also be accessed at https://www.border.gov.au/.  You must check with the relevant Australian diplomatic mission for further information in obtaining a visa to visit Australia.

Required and / or Recommended Insurance(s)

Students should make themselves aware of insurance requirements in order to obtain certain types of visas to Australia.

It is strongly recommended all students understand any reciprocal arrangements their home country has with Australia; and the requirements of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Further Information

Please visit www.anu.edu.au/gsp/mobilisingresearch