Presenter: Anne Laybourne, Students’ Union UCL
Format: Case Study/Individual presentation
The dissertation is one of eight sections comprising the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey. Overall satisfaction scores are high – 81% in 2020 – but sub-scores are lower; support with dissertation planning (73%), skills for future careers (70%), and future career preparedness (72%). This presentation will draw on the case study of the Community Research Initiative, developed in 2018-19 as an approach to provide master’s students with an authentic dissertation experience through co-designing their dissertation assessment in partnership with an external organisation.
Authenticity is achieved through supporting outward facing dissertation planning, real-world problems as research questions, and development of transferrable skills for beyond studying. Evaluative data from key stakeholders will be used to illustrate what works well and key provocations will be made for the future of student partnership working.