Supporting scholarship – C-SAP projects past and future

Ian Fairweather and Darren Marsh, C-SAP

Introduction to C-SAP

HEA Subject Network for Sociology, Anthropology, Politics

With other subject networks also provide support for Criminology

Produce a range of resources: web based and print materials, events and workshops, across a wide range of teaching and learning themes

Project funding always core to C-SAP working principles of encouraging innovation in the disciplines

Introduction to Projects

“Mini-project” funding from 2001 Over x projects funded in first tranche 2001-02 Distributed evenly between three main subject

areas Trend since then has been on fewer projects

funded to greater amount Approx 50 – 60K each year allocated

Thematic Overview

Original intention to provide:

“a set of broad principles to which projects should adhere, including: prioritising ‘bottom-up’ change; embedding innovations; maximising policy relevance; utilising disciplinary-specific methodologies.

Challenges to this – HE landscape changes over last 10 years

What We Fund

Release of time from teaching, research or administrative duties. Research or administrative assistance. Purchase of training and services. Reasonable travel and subsistence costs. Purchase of consumable items.

The following will not be funded:

Normal costs of course delivery, as distinct from additional costs of innovation. Equipment or CIT hardware/software. Institutional overheads, although the on-costs of salaries are allowed.

Projects reflect wider trends in approaches to practice For example, in e-learning themed mini-projects:

“Production of a CD/CDROM and Web Resources of Teaching Materials on Weber” (2001)

“The Use Of C&IT in Level 1 Modules” (2001)

“Mobile ICT and the Academic VLE Interface” (2003)

“Evaluating Interactive Teaching Methodologies” (2003)

“Communicating across boundaries: e-communication on Criminal Justice issue” (2006)

“Podcasting in Politics and International Studies” (2007)

Can see a general reflection in projects moving from perspective of

technology as:

‘stand-alone’ resources VLE as ‘new’ Web 2.0 potential

Regional/Thematic Project Funding

Northern Ireland – ESD:Promoting learning about diversity, and cultural competence towards developing sustainable and global education/citizenship in social work students at Queen’s University Belfast

Wales - E-learning:University of Bangor - Adnodd E Ddysgu Dulliau Ymchwil Cenedlaethol/A National e-Learning Research Methods Resource 

Scotland – Internationalisation:Napier University - An "unturned stone"? Exams and International students

Process - selection There is usually a call for ‘expressions of interest in

February/ March. Those selected to go through to the second stage and areinvited to attend a project applications workshop.

We assess applications using the following criteria: Timescale Aims, Approaches and Activities Outcomes & Dissemination Evaluation Plan Budget

At least two referees read all applications; their comments and suggestions inform the decision of the selection panel.

Process - contracts

Contracts set out the expectations between C-SAP and the project holders

Match funding or institutional support is essential but this could take a variety of forms.

It could be financial support for the project, but it could take the form of administrative support, IT support or training, physical space or contribution to full economic costings.

We strongly encourage applicants to seek letters of support from their institution.

Process – Evaluation and Dissemination

Evaluator can be a member of host department or someone from another institution.

Students can contribute to this process.

Feedback from staff and students useful when applying for further funding to develop the work, or in order to influence policy with institutions.

C-SAP events, themed workshops, our newsletter and e: bulletin.

Mid and Final reports published on C-SAP website and through the projects booklet.

Present findings to host institution as well as to C-SAP.

Promotion of work through visits to other departments and at other events and workshops.

Potential for academic publication from your project.

C-SAP Academic Support to Projects

Promote a scholarly and disciplinary-specific approach to the innovation and reform of

learning and teaching in the social sciences.

Help establish networks to share experiences, problems and good practice and act as a

link between the disciplinary community and the HEA/subject centre.

Support projects in connecting teaching and learning across the subject disciplines, as

well as leading on a range of discipline specific activities.

Encouraging new staff to become involved in projects as part of professional

development.

Details of existing and completed C-SAP projects are available at www.c-sap.bham.ac.uk

Workshop Activity

Assess the anonymised project applications in front of you according to the following criteria: Does the project

Fit in with relevant theoretical/educational literature? Encourage disciplinary innovation? Demonstrate explicit learning and teaching dimensions? Support lasting changes in teaching and learning? Have impact both locally and in a wider context?

What are the plans for dissemination and evaluation? How realistic is the budget?