Supporting scholarship – C-SAP projects past and future Ian Fairweather and Darren Marsh, C-SAP

Introduction to C-SAP  HEA Subject Network for Sociology, Anthropology, Politics  With other subject networks also provide support for Criminology  Produce a range of resources: web based and print materials, events and workshops, across a wide range of teaching and learning themes  Project funding always core to C-SAP working principles of encouraging innovation in the disciplines

Introduction to Projects  “Mini-project” funding from 2001  Over x projects funded in first tranche  Distributed evenly between three main subject areas  Trend since then has been on fewer projects funded to greater amount  Approx 50 – 60K each year allocated

Thematic Overview  Original intention to provide:  “a set of broad principles to which projects should adhere, including:  prioritising ‘bottom-up’ change;  embedding innovations;  maximising policy relevance;  utilising disciplinary-specific methodologies.  Challenges to this – HE landscape changes over last 10 years

What We Fund  Release of time from teaching, research or administrative duties.  Research or administrative assistance.  Purchase of training and services.  Reasonable travel and subsistence costs.  Purchase of consumable items. The following will not be funded:  Normal costs of course delivery, as distinct from additional costs of innovation.  Equipment or CIT hardware/software.  Institutional overheads, although the on-costs of salaries are allowed.

Projects reflect wider trends in approaches to practice  For example, in e-learning themed mini-projects:  “Production of a CD/CDROM and Web Resources of Teaching Materials on Weber” (2001)  “The Use Of C&IT in Level 1 Modules” (2001)  “Mobile ICT and the Academic VLE Interface” (2003)  “Evaluating Interactive Teaching Methodologies” (2003)  “Communicating across boundaries: e-communication on Criminal Justice issue” (2006)  “Podcasting in Politics and International Studies” (2007)  Can see a general reflection in projects moving from perspective of technology as:  ‘stand-alone’ resources VLE as ‘new’ Web 2.0 potential

Regional/Thematic Project Funding  Northern Ireland – ESD: Promoting learning about diversity, and cultural competence towards developing sustainable and global education/citizenship in social work students at Queen’s University Belfast  Wales - E-learning: University of Bangor - Adnodd E Ddysgu Dulliau Ymchwil Cenedlaethol/A National e-Learning Research Methods Resource  Scotland – Internationalisation: Napier University - An "unturned stone"? Exams and International students

Process - selection  There is usually a call for ‘expressions of interest in February/ March. Those selected to go through to the second stage and areinvited to attend a project applications workshop.  We assess applications using the following criteria:  Timescale  Aims, Approaches and Activities  Outcomes & Dissemination  Evaluation Plan  Budget  At least two referees read all applications; their comments and suggestions inform the decision of the selection panel.

Process - contracts  Contracts set out the expectations between C-SAP and the project holders  Match funding or institutional support is essential but this could take a variety of forms.  It could be financial support for the project, but it could take the form of administrative support, IT support or training, physical space or contribution to full economic costings.  We strongly encourage applicants to seek letters of support from their institution.

Process – Evaluation and Dissemination  Evaluator can be a member of host department or someone from another institution.  Students can contribute to this process.  Feedback from staff and students useful when applying for further funding to develop the work, or in order to influence policy with institutions.  C-SAP events, themed workshops, our newsletter and e: bulletin.  Mid and Final reports published on C-SAP website and through the projects booklet.  Present findings to host institution as well as to C-SAP.  Promotion of work through visits to other departments and at other events and workshops.  Potential for academic publication from your project.

C-SAP Academic Support to Projects  Promote a scholarly and disciplinary-specific approach to the innovation and reform of learning and teaching in the social sciences.  Help establish networks to share experiences, problems and good practice and act as a link between the disciplinary community and the HEA/subject centre.  Support projects in connecting teaching and learning across the subject disciplines, as well as leading on a range of discipline specific activities.  Encouraging new staff to become involved in projects as part of professional development.  Details of existing and completed C-SAP projects are available at

Workshop Activity  Assess the anonymised project applications in front of you according to the following criteria:  Does the project Fit in with relevant theoretical/educational literature? Encourage disciplinary innovation? Demonstrate explicit learning and teaching dimensions? Support lasting changes in teaching and learning? Have impact both locally and in a wider context?  What are the plans for dissemination and evaluation?  How realistic is the budget?