Unit name | Consultancy Project |
---|---|
Unit code | GEOGM0029 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. James Palmer |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Completion of 3 M Level Units |
Co-requisites |
N/A |
School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit brings a practical dimension to postgraduate study by providing an opportunity for students to work in small teams to address real life policy and management challenges facing external clients, including public, private and non-profit organisations.
In brief, the Unit Director, in collaboration with Cabot Institute and the Public Engagement Team, will solicit project proposals from external clients. These will be vetted by the Unit Director and then presented to students as options. Projects will be allocated to small teams of 3-5 students based upon student preferences. Over the course of the term, students will negotiate a terms of reference, undertake research, produce a report and make a final presentation to their assigned clients. This research component of the course will be complimented by a seminar series oriented around critical reflection on the key skills required by policy and management consultants.
Overall, the unit aims to give students the skills required to become effective influencers. Specific unit objectives include:
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will have achieved:
The unit will be taught through a blended combination of online and, if possible, in-person teaching, deliverd by University of Bristol staff with contributions from expert practioners, including
25% - final presentation (all students in each group receive the same mark). [ILOs 1-5]
50% - final research report of no more than 10,000 words (all students in each group receive the same mark). [ILOs 1-5]
10% - client feedback (a standardised survey regarding professional conduct, communication and degree of success in satisfying the TOR. Each student in the group will receive the same mark). [ILOs 5 and 6]
15% - peer assessment (to mitigate free-riding and encourage critical reflection on teamwork. Individual mark). [ILOs 4 and 6]
Key texts:
E. Bardach & E.M. Patashnik (2016) A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis, Fifth Edition. London: CQ Press/Sage. [Seven copies are available in the Geography collection in Wills]
Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, Survival Guide (London: July 2004).
UN Economic Commission for Europe (2009) Making Data Meaningful, Geneva: United Nations.
Recommended texts:
HM Treasury, The Magenta Book: Guidance for evaluation (London: 2011).
R. Pawson (2006) Evidence-based Policy: A Realist Perspective, London: Sage.
E. Tufte (2001) The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, Graphics Press USA.