Russian, Central & East European Studies (MSc)

Collaborative Masters Dissertations

Many organisations in the public and third sectors, as well as SMEs and businesses are in need of good quality research, and master's students are often eager to gain 'real life' work experience and to conduct research which has immediate relevance to the world beyond academia.  The collaborative masters dissertations initiative, developed and piloted through CEES in 2010-11 (Central and East European Studies in the School of Social and Political Science), aims to make opportunities for collaborative research available to MSc students and GRAMNet knowledge exchange partners.

Outline projects are developed in collaboration between academic staff and partner organisations and refined to fit with both the partners’ research needs and appropriate demands and expectations of a Masters dissertation. Project outlines are made available to students early in the Spring term and those wishing to undertake a collaborative project may apply for this opportunity.

Those students who are successfully matched with projects receive all necessary academic guidance and support from academic supervisors. They also have a direct contact person within the partner organisation, who helps to facilitate and co-supervise the research.

Following successful submission of the dissertation, students receive a stipend of £1,000 to work directly with the partner organisation for one month in order to translate their research findings into outputs appropriate to the partner organisations needs (e.g. reports, web-based materials, presentations etc.).

For further information and how to apply visit: GRAMNet