Module overview
This module covers: (i) research ethics; (ii) responsible research and innovation methods; (iii) Anticipating, Reflecting on, Engaging with and Acting upon potential impacts; (iv) communicating with a non-technical audience; (v) writing technology briefing papers for different audiences (policy makers, senior executives, media etc.); and (vi) case studies that are directly relevant to the focus of the SustAI CDT.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Principles of responsible research and innovation
- Communication and outreach strategies
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Write policy briefs
- Apply responsible research innovation methods
- Apply strategies for impact and outreach
- Use a variety of methods and strategies to effectively communicate the value of research in a non-technical way
Syllabus
Research ethics
- Covered and assessed through Doctoral College course on Blackboard
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)
- Orbit tools for RRI
- AREA: Anticipate, Reflect, Engage and Act
- Impact assessments & PAS440
- Sustainability in Research
Understanding research impact
- Identifying potential beneficiaries of research
- Pathways to impact
- Impact case studies and REF
Communication
- Communicating with decision makers (policy makers, senior executives, the media, etc.)
- Outreach strategies and understanding your audience
- Academic communication
- Writing policy briefs
Case studies
- Specific case study domains will be chosen to reflect emerging trends and key sustainability, electronics and artificial intelligence challenges. Examples include smart cities and personal health monitoring.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The module will be delivered as a series of workshops with small group exercises. The ideal for timetabling would be to have 12 2-hour sessions. The teaching will be in part delivered by Orbit (https://www.orbit-rri.org/) and Public Policy Southampton.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 12 |
| Completion of assessment task | 64 |
| Wider reading or practice | 38 |
| Follow-up work | 12 |
| Lecture | 24 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Summative assessment:
1. A 4,000-word report providing an impact assessment of the use of a set of complementary technologies and algorithms to a given case study – 50%.
2. Two 1,000-word technology briefing papers for the same case study for two different audiences from: (i) policy makers; (ii) senior executives, and (iii) the media – 30% (15% each).
3. A plan for an outreach activity related to the case study or some component technology – 20%.
Feedback will be through marker comments and a mark for each component via a marking scheme shared with the students.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual assignment | 20% |
| Individual assignment | 50% |
| Individual assignment | 30% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Assignment | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Assignment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External