EQUL40430 Research and Skills Portfolio

Academic Year 2022/2023

The Equality Studies Research and Professional Practice Portfolio is a mandatory module for students undertaking the MSc in Equality Studies. The portfolio modules functions as a capstone module within the programme that allows students to demonstrate breadth of knowledge across modules, while also combining traditional research skills with other dissemination and public scholarship skills that will be appropriate to workplace or active citizenship requirements.
The portfolio will comprise TWO main elements:
1. The research element can incorporate various approaches, including but not limited to: a theoretical analysis; policy analysis; socio-legal analysis; a systematic literature review; documentary analysis; analysis of statistical data. Presentation should be in the form of an academic journal article or policy/research report.
2. The public scholarship and communication element, translates theory and knowledge into practice, and/or makes research and analysis accessible and meaningful to non-academic, professional or citizen audiences. . Formats may include but are not limited to: blogging, lobbying, documentary-making, writing ministerial briefing notes, policy submissions, creating infographs, creative/artistic performance or piece/project, equality proofing and equality training. The public scholarship element should be accompanied by a reflective learning discussion piece that makes the connections between the research carried out and the attempt to translate this research and knowledge into a tangible intervention into the public sphere. Students must also submit a time-log detailing the time spent on the various tasks carried out in completing the public scholarship intervention

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate specialised, detailed and advanced theoretical and conceptual knowledge and understanding of the area of Equality Studies which is the focus of their portfolio;
2. Carry out a critical review of literature on a specified topic of inquiry;
3. Delineate and refine a clearly defined and feasible research question;
4. Apply critical and analytical skills to examination of a specified research question;
5. Use the knowledge and insights derived from research findings to understand, illuminate and reflect upon wider social issues and concerns;
6. Communicate findings from research and analysis, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously;
7. Disseminate learning and conclusions in two formats: (1) traditional scholarly formats, that adhere to standard academic norms in the field, and (2) formats other than the traditional academic essay, that will be accessible by and of relevance to other practitioners, professionals and non-specialist audiences with an interest in the topic.

Indicative Module Content:

This module is based upon self-directed learning on a topic of the student's choice relevant to the field of Equality Studies.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

600
Total

600
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is mainly based on task-based learning as students work largely independently towards completion of the research and skills portfolio. Students are assigned advisers who will provide support and guidance on the process. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Portfolio: The portfolio comprises:
1) Research element
2) The public scholarship element to include
a) public scholarship/communication
b) a reflective-learning discussion piece
c) a time-log
Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Formative feedback individually to students from portfolio advisors (orally or in writing) on their planning and preparation for the portfolio Feedback in writing (including grade and qualitative feedback) post assessment