BSc International Disaster Management & Humanitarian Response / Course details

This module enables students to explore some key concepts in relation to humanitarian provision, disaster management and peace and conflict in context. It combines theories and concepts with questions of sensitive research methods and knowledge production. The module contains a compulsory research element that will take the field visits or online research if social distancing does not allow for face-to-face interactions. The research element is designed to allow students to use, in a safe and guided space, the research methodologies that they have discussed in class and apply explore theoretical ideas in a real-world context. The research element encourages research responsibility and analytical skills for future humanitarian professionals

HCRI30111 is available only to International Disaster Management & Humanitarian Response and iBSc Global Health students.

• To interrogate key concepts and theories related to humanitarian provision, disaster management and conflict;
• To ground these key concepts in a real-world context;
• To interrogate key concepts and theories related to the ethics and practicalities of conducting research related to conflict and disasters;
• To reflect on positionality with regard to research;
• To consider the nature of power and agency in relation to research;
• To engage critically with relevant literature on research methods;
• To engage actively in research activities; either online or face-to-face.

• Understanding how knowledge is produced and shaped by researchers
• Understanding how key concepts play out in a real-world contexts
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specific aspects of disasters, conflict and humanitarianism of the fieldtrip city
• Understanding how the city shapes and produces realties

 

• Understanding how knowledge is produced and shaped by researchers
• Understanding how key concepts play out in a real-world context
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specific aspects of disasters, conflict and humanitarianism of the fieldtrip city
• Understanding how the city shapes and produces realties
• Understand the challenges of conducting primary research in fragile environments

• Show an awareness of the ways in which the geographical location affects our understanding and response to processes of humanitarian response, disaster management and conflict
• Relate secondary sources (articles, books etc.) to the study of the actual humanitarian or disaster situation
• Reflect critically on the process of researching societies and humanitarian issues

• Team-working skills
• Inter-cultural competences
• Networking opportunities with NGOs and policy makers
• Logistics and planning skill

• Ability to interact and effectively communicate with various actors  (donor agencies, policy makers, fellow professionals and lay communities) at various levels (local, district, national international)
• Team working skills especially: leadership skills; ability to organise self and others to accomplish tasks; sharing knowledge and managing differences

Written research plan	0%
Research Portfolio	60%
Research presentation	40%

Feedback method	Formative or Summative
Written feedback	All summative assessments and on the formative research plan
Oral feedback in lectures on project development	Formative
Additional feedback available verbally in office hours	Formative

Methods and Field research

C. Lekha Sriram et al eds., Surviving field research: Working in violent and difficult situations (London: Routledge 2009).

R. Chambers, Whose reality counts? Putting the last first (London: Intermediate Technology 1997). Available in library as high demand book.

G. Millar. An ethnographic approach to peacebuilding – Understanding local experiences in transitional states. (New York: Routledge, 2014).

Coe, N.m., and Smyth, F.M., (2010), Students as Tour Guides: Innovation in Fieldwork Assessment, Journal of Geography in Higher Education, Vol. 34(1)