The Futures Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Whatever their discipline, doctoral graduates will be required to navigate an increasingly complex, competitive employment environment. This subject complements the focussed intensity of doctoral research by providing candidates with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in cross-disciplinary problem solving, teamwork and project management. The subject is delivered in three phases: phase one is a two-day intensive during which students are comprehensively introduced to a multi-dimensional real-world problem and beginning planning a group project to address that problem; phase two is a three-weekly or equivalent series of negotiated team-based meetings; phase three is the presentation of the group project and students’ critical reflection on their own and others’ projects.

Doctoral candidates who complete this subject will be able to:

• Demonstrate a sophisticated, interdisciplinary understanding of a complex real-world issue;
• Use that understanding to design, in collaboration with others, solutions to such issues;
• Initiate, manage and report on projects using a range of project management systems and structures;
• Communicate the findings of such projects effectively to non-specialist audiences.

Syndicate presentation and report, or equivalent, of 6000 words per participant (75%) due at the end of the project; 2000 word reflective essay or journal (25%) due 2 weeks after presentation of the project.

NA

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Doctoral candidates who complete this subject will be able to:

• Apply research skills and specialist knowledge in new contexts;
• Work collaboratively and creatively with researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds;
• Manage projects;
• Communicate effectively to non-specialists;
• Reflect critically on their learning.

This course is available on a part-time basis only.