Course Syllabus

Research Assistant

 

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Semester & Location:

Spring/Fall - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Pre-Medicine/Health Science, Public Health, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender Studies

Faculty Members:

Rachel Irwin, Public Health

Program Director:

Tina Mangieri - tma@disstockholm.se

Coordinator:

Kenzie Zimmer - mz@dis.dk

Time & Place:

Thursdays, 13.15-14.35; V7-48

About the Research:

Medical advancements have turned human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from a deadly disease into a chronic one, and the use of antiretroviral therapies and pre-exposure prophylaxis can limit the transmission of HIV to negligible levels.

People living with HIV who wish to have biological children will require some level of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to prevent partner-to-partner or mother-to-child transmission. They may also require further reproductive health assistance to address underlying infertility. However, many reproductive health clinics refuse to treat people living with HIV. These barriers often force people to seek treatment across borders and, in the European context, this raises questions about the responsibility for financing cross-border care.
You will examine how people living with HIV navigate the web of local, national, and European Union-level policies regarding the access to and financing of reproductive health assistance. You will also explore the issue from the welfare state perspective: how do norms and values about the right to health affect the experience of seeking reproductive care?

Researcher Bio:

Rachel Irwin is a researcher in medical humanities at Lund University, where her research is on Sweden’s role in global health. Prior to this, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet (2014-2016), where she led a project on women living with HIV in Stockholm. She has a Ph.D. in social anthropology, a M.Phil in medical anthropology, and an MS.c. in International Health Policy.

Description of role and responsibilities of the Research Assistant

You are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hrs per week on the project. The workload may vary over the semester. 

As research assistant you will:

  1. Participate in weekly meetings with your research mentor at a time set collectively at the beginning of the semester.
  2. Participate in two workshops throughout the semester (see 'Workshops' below for more information):
    1. A seminar at the beginning of the semester: orientation and strategies for succeeding in international research
    2. A final seminar discussing strategies and best practices for effective communication of research, especially to those not in the field
  3. Write an assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses in the research process at the beginning of the semester. Revisit at the middle and end of the semester as part of an evaluation of your own participation in, and learning from, the research project.
  4. Keep a research journal and come to class prepared to discuss your  activities of the week, and your goals for the following week.
  5. Participate in carrying out the research project, e.g. setting up and conducting interviews with doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals.  Be prepared to contribute to tasks that may come up during the semester. Research processes are not always predictable.  
  6. Present the relevance of the research and/or findings to peer(s) from other disciplines at the End of Semester Showcase with a final poster presentation.
  7. Write a book review.

Learning Objectives

The primary objective is for you to experience the world of scientific research and gain experience that will prepare you for any future career you choose to pursue. By the end of the semester you will grasp the complexities of the research project, and have made your own contribution to the project. You will also have learned to communicate scientific ideas and findings, both orally and in writing, to members from your particular discipline as well as peers from other disciplines.   

In addition, objectives for Spring 2020 research assistants include:

  • Understand the basics of qualitative health policy and systems research
  • Gain experience arranging and conducting qualitative interviews
  • Gain experience in analyzing qualitative data
  • Gain experience in academic writing, including writing a book review
  • Present findings in a poster/gain experience with graphical displays in findings and communicating information

Readings

There is one core readings for the course.  Additional readings will be assigned during the semester and  will be listed in Canvas on the calendar.  You will also be expected to find appropriate literature to assist your research.

Mohr, S.  (2018) Being a sperm donor: masculinity, sexuality and biosociality in Denmark. New York and Oxford: Berghan Books.

DIS Research Resources

More information can be found on this page.

Workshops & Orientation

Important Dates - the following are mandatory to attend as part of the course

January 13th, 16.30-17.30 RESEARCH ORIENTATION in Studiestræde 3, room 21 Slides

WORKSHOP 1: February 19th, 17.15-18.45 in Vestergade 10 A22

WORKSHOP 2: April 15th, 17.15-18.45 in Vestergade 10 A22

May 6th, 15.00-17.00, END OF SEMESTER SHOWCASE

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 be prepared for. 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 is agreed at the beginning of the semester. In general, a research assistant is expected to take initiative, take ownership of the project and work independently. Obviously, to be prepared for meetings and be willing to part take in scientific 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 straight forward 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.

Evaluation and grading

All research assistants are assessed on their participation in the seminar on responsible research practices, weekly status reports to the research mentor, self-evaluation and presentation to peers from other disciplines. Additional assignments include a written literature review and two papers describing research results, a group poster and a mid-term reflection paper.  More information on the assignments will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

 Reflection paper 15%
Group poster 20%
Final written project 25%
Participation 25%
Book review  15%

Disability and Resource Statement  

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this.  In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

Policies

Attendance

It is crucial for your learning that you stay on task and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class. Late papers or projects will be marked down with 1/3 of a grade for each day it is late.

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment

DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software.  See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.

Academic Regulations

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.disabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due