Course Syllabus

 

Semester & Location:	Fall 2025 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Political Science, Public Health, Sociology
Research Mentor:	Priya Ranganath (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

Youth homelessness is a pressing issue in many high-income countries, including Denmark.

Young people experiencing homelessness (YEH) often face the dual challenges of substance use and adverse mental health conditions, commonly referred to as “dual diagnosis.” This group is also at higher risk for marginalization, long-term homelessness, poverty, and worsening mental and physical health.

Despite these concerns, the connections between homelessness, mental illness, and substance use remain under-researched. Additionally, clinicians and counselors often struggle to screen, identify, and effectively support youth dealing with this “tri-morbidity” – homelessness alongside substance use and mental health challenges.

Project details:

The goal of this study is to develop a practical screening tool for use in homeless services in Copenhagen. This tool will be designed to capture the specific contexts, conditions, and needs of YEH in the city. We will collaborate closely with street nurses and homeless service providers to create a tool tailored to the unique challenges faced by YEH. The tool aims to help improve early identification and intervention, ultimately enhancing access to care and support for vulnerable youth. As part of this research, we will collect data on their mental health symptoms, substance use, and the lived experiences of both YEH and youth at risk of homelessness.

The research project spans multiple years, with distinct research tasks segmented across four semesters/stages. It is a collaborative and progressive endeavor, from research methodology to research dissemination. All Research Assistants (RAs) will conduct literature reviews, gain comprehensive exposure to the topic, develop both qualitative and quantitative research skills, and engage in initial data analysis. This will equip students with valuable skills for graduate studies in public health and future careers in research and academia.

The best-suited Research Assistants will be those who approach the work with empathy, openness, and respect for young people experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges, and the expertise of street nurses. This research is not solely an academic endeavor but an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the field. RAs should be ready to engage collaboratively and learn from those working directly with this population.

Faculty

Priyanka Ranganath

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, literature searches, scientific paradigms, perspectives, interview techniques and analyses of data. 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.

Approach to Teaching

Generally, the mentor will help the students visualize the work ahead, so that you will feel safe about the research contribution you have to deliver in the end. She will do her best to listen to what the students have to say acknowledging that everybody has a important perspective to contribute with. Also, she will endeavour to include the students in the decisions made in the research team.

That means that a lot of brainstorming and discussion on the topic, the material, the hypotheses, the proces, and the findings will be incorporated in the project.

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

The project will be carried out using mixed methods (see paper on Mixed Methods in the folder "modules"). It will include data from published scientific literature and "grey" literature, e.g. reports, as well as published statistical sources such as OECD health statistics, WHO and various US sources. Also, you will carry out semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders/persons. The interviews will be subject to prior consent (according to the GDPR rules) by the interviewees and data from the interviews will be collected in the form of note-taking. Notes will be deleted after the end of the semester. Also, data from the interviews will be only be used for the purpose of this research project and only in a anonomyous form so that personal statements cannot be recognised. 

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.

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. 

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

 

 

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