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SWIDN members are offered free research projects undertaken by postgraduate students from University of Bristol’s new climate change degree.

11 May 2023

New University of Bristol research opportunities for SWIDN members could shed new light on sustainability challenges

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The MSc Society, Politics and Climate Change, which will investigate the impact of a changing climate on our society, is set to shape the next generation of environmental champions.

As part of their course, students can take on a research project with a professional partner. The projects will be rooted in cutting-edge research and academic insight and will give students the chance to apply their learning to a ‘real-world’ issue.

All SWIDN members are invited to submit their research proposals now, before carefully selected postgraduate students undertake rigorous investigation and analysis. The research projects will run between May and August/September 2023 and will be free of cost to SWIDN members.

The University of Bristol is at the cutting edge of global research. Ranked 61st in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023) UoB’s leading research programmes have an international reputation. With more and more young people prioritising their contribution to a more sustainable world, the university’s current focus is to develop practical solutions to global challenges.

Leading the projects are the Professional Liaison Network (PLN) an experienced team in the university that connects students with professionals through a variety of activities. The team has worked with organisations across all sectors, including charities and NGOs, from across the world.

“We are really excited to reach out to SWIDN members,” says PLN Manager Alex Paterson. “The research that these projects deliver could have an invaluable impact on our partner organisations and the work that they do. It’s amazing to think that our students could make real, tangible contributions to sustainability challenges, and have unique experiences in the process.”

He went on to say, “SWIDN members should simply ask themselves, ‘What research question do we want to know the answer to, but have never had the time or resource to investigate?’”

As well as engaging with themes like the climate crisis and political economy, sustainability and development, disasters, and environmental movements, the students are taught critical and interrogative skills throughout the course. This ensures that the research delivered will be robust and reliable.

SWIDN members are invited to a 30-minute Zoom info session on Wednesday 14 September at 1pm. The PLN will give a brief introduction to the scheme and ways your organisation could benefit from a free research project, including an overview of research projects available in the School of Management. To attend the info session, register here https://bristol-ac-uk.zoom.us/…

Recruitment for research projects is already underway. Confirmed project partners include a leading South African think tank, a sustainable business consultancy, and an environmental campaign charity. If you would like to be included in this opportunity, have a burning research question, or would like to speak to a member of the PLN team email fssl-pln@bristol.ac.uk

Blog and images courtesy of the PLN team at UoB

Originally posted on August 18th 2022

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