Supporting scholarship – C-SAP
projects past and future
Ian Fairweather and Darren Marsh, C-SAP
Introduction to C-SAP
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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
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“Mini-project” funding from 2001
Over x projects funded in first tranche 2001-02
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
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Original intention to provide:
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“a set of broad principles to which projects should
adhere, including:
prioritising ‘bottom-up’ change;
 embedding innovations;
 maximising policy relevance;
 utilising disciplinary-specific methodologies.
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Challenges to this – HE landscape changes over last
10 years
What We Fund
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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:
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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
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For example, in e-learning themed mini-projects:
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“Production of a CD/CDROM and Web Resources of Teaching Materials on Weber” (2001)
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“The Use Of C&IT in Level 1 Modules” (2001)
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“Mobile ICT and the Academic VLE Interface” (2003)
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“Evaluating Interactive Teaching Methodologies” (2003)
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“Communicating across boundaries: e-communication on Criminal Justice issue” (2006)
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“Podcasting in Politics and International Studies” (2007)
Can see a general reflection in projects moving from perspective of
technology as:
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‘stand-alone’ resources
VLE as ‘new’
Web 2.0 potential
Regional/Thematic Project Funding
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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
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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.
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We assess applications using the following criteria:
Timescale
Aims, Approaches and Activities
Outcomes & Dissemination
Evaluation Plan
Budget
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At least two referees read all applications; their comments and suggestions
inform the decision of the selection panel.
Process - contracts
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Contracts set out the expectations between C-SAP and the project
holders
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Match funding or institutional support is essential but this could take a
variety of forms.
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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.
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We strongly encourage applicants to seek letters of support from their
institution.
Process – Evaluation and Dissemination
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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.
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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
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Promote a scholarly and disciplinary-specific approach to the innovation and reform of
learning and teaching in the social sciences.
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Help establish networks to share experiences, problems and good practice and act as a
link between the disciplinary community and the HEA/subject centre.
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Support projects in connecting teaching and learning across the subject disciplines, as
well as leading on a range of discipline specific activities.
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Encouraging new staff to become involved in projects as part of professional
development.
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Details of existing and completed C-SAP projects are available at www.c-sap.bham.ac.uk
Workshop Activity
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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?