934302 Project design and sustainable development goals (SDGs)

Type
Lecture and seminar
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Auwärter, Carolin , Künzi, Erwin , Bauer, Andreas , Hundscheid, Laura , Gratzer, Georg , Stadlmayr, Barbara , Melcher, Andreas , Lemke, Stefanie
Organisation
Offered in
Wintersemester 2023/24
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

This interdisciplinary course focuses on lessons learned from applied development research projects and their potential contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. SDG2 "zero hunger" also targets a more resilient agriculture and more sustainable food systems poses a focus in the winter term. Besides case studies and examples from current BOKU research projects in the Global South, external experts (e.g., stakeholders, administration, decision-makers or NGOs) will illustrate how research for development and their projects are implemented into practice. Based on this and a “call for application,” you will draft and present research for the development project from your perspective. By using science communication tools, you will learn to stimulate dialogue between science and society.
- Step 1 Experience from practice: BOKU researchers and external experts share experiences about working in the Global South.
- Step 2 Building blocks of research for an applied SDGs development project: From development challenge to research question to a sound project proposal.
- Step 3 Practical teamwork: small groups of students develop their applied development project stepwise based on the lessons learnt during the course.
- Step 4 Implementation and final presentation: In January, students present their proposals to an interdisciplinary selection board. The best-selected proposals will be honored and able to present their work to a broader audience.
Previous knowledge expected

Genuine interest in development research
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

After this lecture, the students will be able to:

# to understand current principles and practices in research for development with the potential to contribute to the SDGs.
# to draft research for a development project from project idea to research question to a basic implementation plan.
# to create different trans- and interdisciplinary approaches to translate theoretical development research ideas into practical research proposals and relate their scientific discipline and research interest to the SDGs.
# to evaluate different styles of research proposals for applied development.
# to present their research ideas to experts and a broader audience.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.