Course Syllabus

 

Semester & Location:	Spring 2025 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Neuroscience, Psychology, Public Health
Research Mentor:	Emily Brocks, Mette Bohn Jespersen (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:	research@dis.dk
Time & Place:	See "Course Summary" below

Research Project Description

The aim of this research project is twofold:  

- To cultivate meaningful peer-to-peer knowledge sharing opportunities between young people from different cultures, on topics related to mental health challenges for youth today.

- To explore the impact of different preventative initiatives on high school student’s sense of health & wellbeing, to enable them in becoming experts of their own mental health. 

Theoretically the project is grounded in the fields of psychology and neuropsychology and will utilize a multi-disciplinary theoretical framework. Since the project aims to conduct sustainable and applicable research that benefits and supports youth in our local community, the research project also utilizes an Action Research Approach.

The research project spans three years:  

• 2025: Project Framing & Literature Review of the field  

• 2026: Execution of Wellbeing Interventions 
• 2027: Communication & Development of findings 

Each semester’s specific research tasks will be assigned based on the current phase of the project’s 3 overall phases. In addition, RAs each semester should also be prepared to help organize & run workshops at local Danish high schools and share their own experiences with different models of wellbeing interventions with the research team and workshop participants.  

Specific assignments will be shared with Research Assistants at the jumpstart project meeting, at the start of the semester.

Research Mentors

Mette Bohn Jespersen (Neuropsychologist, Cand.Psych.Aut)

Neuropsychologist and a registered clinical psychologist holding a Master of Psychology with a double major in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology from the University of Copenhagen. She has worked as a clinical neuropsychologist since 2012 providing counselling and therapy to individuals and couples from various backgrounds along with focused rehabilitation after acquired brain injuries. Mette has lived several years abroad both in Europe and North America. She has been with DIS since 2022 teaching the course Neuroscience of Religion and Atheism, where she explores how spiritual practices can benefit mental health and wellbeing. Besides teaching and facilitating workshops around neuropsychology and mental health, Mette works as a therapist in her own private practice.

 

Emily Brocks (Cand.soc)

Danish-American with extensive experience teaching & developing workshops for youth and adults on the themes of authenticity and body awareness. She has been an external lecturer at DIS since 2010, and most recently teaches a course she developed called Is the future feminine?. Emily also develops professional development courses focused on authenticity and menstrual & menopausal awareness in the workplace. Additionally, she works with Danish youth through her company GirlCollective, which offers workshops about puberty, sexuality and relationships. Emily has an educational background in gender studies and social work, and is also a certified NLP coach practitioner, Kundalini yoga teacher, Shakti yoga teacher & women’s circle leader.

 

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Overall Learning Objectives for the Research Assistant Program

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.

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 traveling 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 on canvas every week (or another specified interval) for your research mentor and DIS Research, 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. (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.

 

Evaluation and Grading

All research assistants are assessed on their participation, weekly status reports to the research mentor, self-evaluation and presentation 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 & Engagement  Discussion forums, weekly meetings, posting findings and reflections on team padlet 10% of grade comprises attendance & active participation including homework in the research orientation, research workshops, and DIS Festival	20% Graded
Research Question and Literature Review Summary Midterm assignment with summary and abstract on you findings so far. Identification of questions (semi-structured interview/dialog guide) for the Dialog Circle.	20% Graded + Feedback
Presentation at DIS Festival SOME post on the Dialog Circle	10% Group - Complete / Non-complete
Dialog Circle Preparation and facilitation of a semi-structured dialog with Danish Highschool Students	10 % Group - Complete / Non-complete
Final Paper Updated Literature review + Research Question Abstract/Summary "Handover key points" and personal reflections for next semester	40% Graded
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 judgement, 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: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading.  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code.