Semester & Location:	Spring 2024 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines	Psychology
Research Mentor:	Salman Ahmad (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

Research Project / Course Description: 

 

The project explores the subjective experience of self and the implications that different configurations of self-identity have on human relations and well-being, with a particular focus on transformation of prejudice, and the development of well-being. There are two points of focus of the project: 
1. The development and transformation of the individual and the individual’s experience of ‘self’ through reflective, meditative immersive practices including the practice of silence and the construction and reconstruction of meaning.

2. The development and transformation of interpersonal relations and the experience of the ‘other’ through dialogical, and dramaturgical immersive processes, and through exploring, deconstructing and reconstructing narratives of self and other. 

The two points of focus are nevertheless related and inform each other as a change in the experience of ‘self’ can often relate to a change in the experience of ‘other’ and vice versa. The overall aim is to explore the connection between the transformation and development of the human, and the transformation and development of human relations and human systems towards higher levels of personal and social well-being. 

Research assistants can choose between working specifically on one of the two points of focus of the project. This can be through:
1. Helping the mentor with analyzing quantitative data generated from a one-year longitudinal study on a well-being intervention.
2. Or through a literature review of the topics related to the two points of focus as given above. 
3. The assistant can also propose a totally new exploration related to the two points of focus and co-create a new sub-project. This could be running an intervention and comparing pre and post intervention results or it could be a qualitative exploration of a particular topic related to the two points of focus above.
4. As such, both quantitative and qualitative research skills can be applied in the project and these are the skills, assistants can expect to learn and practice. 

Depending on the interest of the assistants, a decision can be made on whether the assistants will work alone or in a group with each other. As such, the project involves significant flexibility and aims at engaging research assistants in ways that would be most meaningful to them whilst also contributing to the overall aim of the project. 

Learning Objectives

• To engage with a subject matter of interest with scientific rigour and criticality.
• To develop skills in conducting a literature review in the area of interest.
• To develop good analytical skills when dealing with research text and data.
• To be able to arrive at well argued conclusions based on the analysis of text and data. 

Project-Specific Objectives Include:

Relevant literature search, data analysis, written discussion about the results of the data analysis and a summary report of the findings.

Research Mentor

Salman Ahmad has a PhD in Psychology and has worked as a faculty member and consultant with various educational, business and social organizations across South Asia, the Middle-East, the Americas, and Europe. He teaches and consults in the areas of psychology, leadership and organizational development and is also engaged in social change initiatives with the European Union (EU). He is the Founding Associate of the Cnergi project (cnergi.nu), Chief Consultant at Living Institute, External Lecturer at Copenhagen Business School and the University of Copenhagen.

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 End of Semester Showcase.
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.

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.

Litterature review & Project outline	10%
Final Paper	60%
Presentation at DIS Festival	10%
Participation* 10% of grade comprises attendance & active participation in the research orientation, research workshops, and DIS Festival	20%
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

The data sets are register based, on individual level, anonymized or pseudo-anonymized. If needed, the format can be adapted to the any prior knowledge of software the student might have. The project is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency 2016-41-4961, which is the approval needed for purely register based research in Denmark.

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.