Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student will be able to:
- understand their work as part of a bigger picture
- describe purpose, objectives and measures for their work
- search new methods and tools for improving the societal impact of their work
- understand the difference between strategic and operational levels
- understand the importance of collaboration in the development of new innovations
Contents
Doctoral students are often involved in proposal writing or project planning where it is required to identify the societal need for the project and define measurable objectives for the work to be conducted. It is typical that objectives are too general – we aim to “improve” or “develop” something – and thus, it is difficult to measure success and report the work. In addition, it is required to fit these concrete objectives against strategic objectives set by the university or funding organisation. In order to create societal impact, it is important to identify the role of the work against other solutions to the problem, and identify necessary collaborators for its implementation. The course introduces students some basic tools for organising information about the societal problem and setting objectives and measures. The course contains a short introduction to these tools, group work and a written assignment. Students can bring their own ideas, project plans, proposals (with related call text) or reports to be analysed as part of the group work. The group work will be conducted in the context of behavior change technologies.
- Opettaja: Piiastiina Tikka