Course Syllabus
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2025 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Entrepreneurship, Neuroscience, Visual Arts |
| Research Mentor: |
Mette Frandsen (current students, please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Research Director: |
Susana Dietrich - research@dis.dk |
| Senior Research Manager: |
Jeanette Erbo Wern - jwe@dis.dk |
| Academic Support: | |
| Time & Place: |
See "Course Summary" below |
Research Project Description
The significance of a creative mindset is increasingly recognized as an invaluable and highly sought-after skill in today’s world, whether in entrepreneurship, scientific discovery, artistic expression, leadership, or adapting to the evolving demands of the modern workforce. Possessing a creative mindset makes you a standout contributor to any innovative project, serving both as an intentional catalyst for transformation and a responsive approach to change. Creativity is essential for tackling significant and intricate global challenges like poverty, conflicts, limited healthcare access, educational disparities, and climate change, which demand multifaceted solutions that are not always apparent through conventional approaches. If we want a better future, we need to imagine it first.
This hands-on research project is dedicated to designing a framework and training program for cultivating a creative mindset. We are working to build a solid foundation of insights on the skills, perspectives, and approaches associated with a forward-thinking mindset. How can we increase curiosity and nurture a culture that embraces a ‘beginner’s mindset’ questing for discovery? And how do we then propel that curiosity in human creativity, innovation, personal development, and societal problem solving?
The research project spans multiple years, with each year segmented into distinct research tasks distributed across semesters. This structured approach ensures that all Research Assistants (RAs) receive comprehensive exposure to the topic area and develops research skills tailored to each semester’s tasks.
In first part of the project, in-depth literature reviews on ‘curiosity’ will be made followed by ‘the art of questioning’ to build a foundation of understanding and decide research directions without repeating previous research efforts. Together, we will engage in reflective analysis to uncover novel insights into the development of a creative mindset and identify key research questions while also compiling a literature repository.
Additionally, this project will incorporate pilot studies as foundation for larger-scale investigations. Based on established literature, RAs will engage in reflective discussions leading to the formulation of interview questions and pilot surveys, as well as the identification of potential target groups for pilot studies. Pilot data will be collected and analyzed and these studies will serve as a trial phase that enables us to refine our methodologies in preparation for larger and broader-scale investigations later in the project.
Learning Objectives
The primary objective is for you to experience the world of research and gain skills that will prepare you for any future career you choose to pursue. By the end of the term, you will grasp the complexities of the research project and have made your own contribution to the project. You will have learned to communicate ideas
and findings, both orally and in writing, to colleagues within your particular discipline, as well as peers from other disciplines.
Research Mentor
Mette Frandsen
BA in Photojournalism, Danish School of Media and Journalism. Fatamorgana, Danish School of Documentary and Art Photography. Teaches at workshops, lectures on projects, and works around the world. With DIS since 2015.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Research Assistant
You are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week on the project. The workload
may vary over the semester. If you are travelling to do field research in a different
location, additional time may be required.
As research assistant, you will engage in some or all of the following:
1. Participate in weekly meetings with your research mentor at a time set collectively at the beginning of the term.
2. Participate in a research orientation at the beginning of the semester
3. Participate in two research workshops during the semester.
4. Write an assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses in the research
process at the beginning of the semester. Revisit at the end of the semester as part of an evaluation of your own participation in, and learning from, the research project.
5. Keep a research journal and submit it in person or via email every week (or another specified interval) to your research mentor, describing the activities of the week, and outlining goals for the following week.
6. Conduct literature reviews.
7. Participate in carrying out the research project. This may include: familiarizing yourself with core concepts, prototyping, design testing, preliminary user studies. The specific responsibilities may vary depending on how the project progresses. Be prepared to contribute to tasks that may come up
during the semester. Research processes are not always predictable.
8. Present the relevance of the research and/or findings to peer(s) from other
disciplines at the DIS Festival.
9. Make a final oral and/or written presentation of the research you are involved in, depending on what is agreed with your research mentor.
Readings
The readings will be agreed upon with the Research Mentor at the beginning of the semester -
the exact content will differ depending on your background. You will receive guidance
concerning the basics of relevant concepts, study designs, methods of analysis, etc
DIS Accommodations Statement
Your learning experience in this class is important to me. If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support acadsupp@dis.dk.
Evaluation and Grading
All research assistants are assessed on their participation, weekly status reports to the research mentor, self-evaluation and presentations to peers from other disciplines. Additional evaluation and grading depends on the individual research project and project phase and is outlined by the research mentor. It may include literature reviews, a poster presentation for an expert panel, a working paper, etc.
|
Participation* 10% of grade comprises attendance & active participation in the research orientation, research workshops, and DIS Festival |
20% |
|
Literature review |
5% |
|
Research Project Outline |
10% |
|
Presentation at DIS Festival |
10% |
|
Final Paper |
55% |
|
TOTAL |
100% |
Research Orientation & Workshops
Days and times are available in the Course Summary, below.
Field Research (if applicable)
Some research projects include field research. Expenses related to fieldwork will be
covered by a DIS travel grant. The fieldwork will be planned with the research
mentor at the beginning of the semester.
Approach to Mentoring
All DIS research mentors have been trained in mentoring students but their approach to
mentoring may differ. Mentoring is about engaging at a different - and often deeper -
level than what is typical in the class room. However, mentoring also comes with some
degree of ambiguity, which is important for you to expect. The research
mentor will work closely with you throughout the semester but part of the training is also
for you to use your own judgment to make assessments and decisions. As part of
planning your tasks and responsibilities for the semester together, the research
mentor will talk to you about her/his approach to mentoring.
Expectations of the Research Assistant
The specific expectations of the individual research assistant are agreed upon at the
beginning of the semester. In general, a research assistant is expected to take initiative,
take ownership of the project and work independently. You must also be prepared for
meetings and be willing to part take in relevant discussions. In cases where more
research assistants are involved in the same project, you will be expected to engage in
some teamwork. Carrying out a research project is not a straightforward and
predictable process. This is part of what makes it exciting. It also means that
communication is crucial. You are expected to take responsibility for communicating
about problems or issues that arise.
Data
Note that many US colleges/universities require their students who are participating in research at home or abroad to acquire Institutional Review Board approval. Examples include:
- Research involving human subjects
- If the results of any research conducted during your semester with DIS involving human subjects are to be made public or published in the US
You are responsible for confirming whether home IRB-approval is required and, if so, for seeking the approval of your home schools IRB. In addition, all research conducted in Europe must adhere to GDPR regulations, as noted above.
Disability and Resource Statement
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Academic Support in Copenhagen (acadsupp@dis.dk) or in Stockholm (academics@disstockholm.se), depending on the project location. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There, you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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