In 4th Week Michaelmas 2008, U8 Oxford launched three new projects.
1) A Review of Uganda's Development Strategy
2) How can outsiders improve public health in Burma?
3) Food insecurity in Guatemala
How do they work?
Each project is undertaken by a student team of 5 to 10 students at Oxford, under the guidance of a Project Leader and outside academic advise.
The projects intend to produce original and interesting research, not through academic brilliance, but through access to primary data and by tackling topical issues. Most of all however, the projects familiarise the participants with new issues and places.
Participants are asked to commit four hours to research every week, which will be the basis of each participant's contribution to the project. We hope that all participants will be able to become 'authorities' on their niche subtopics. Informal seminars, film nights anddiscussions will be arranged to broaden the student team's knowledge and help make connections between ideas.
Do I need to be a grad student or an expert to do this?
No.
Priority number 1 for the projects is to let everyone involved get their teeth into some issues, whether they're beginners to the subject or academics looking for pet research interests. Equally, experienced students will find plenty of opportunities to put their skills and knowledge to good use.
How do I get involved?
The information evening is being held on Thursday 23rd October, at 8pm in Corpus Christi.
When?
Project sign up runs until Monday of 4th week.
The projects run until late January.
What do I get out of it?
The projects provide ways to get a feel for lots of issues, with a combination of research, shared learning and teaching, and in particular for you to specialise in whatever areas you like. They're designed to do all of this without taking over your lives.
Moreover, different projects have different outcomes. All will be published in U8's annual journal, which last year was presented to the UK's Department for International Development as part of their consultation process. The Guatemala Project intends to assist the creation of a Food Security Centre in Guatemala, whilst the Burma and Uganda projects seek to engage in heavy consultation with NGOs and others in their respective regions.
Doesn't this sound boring?
Yes, but it only sounds boring. If the inspiration project leaders and film nights don't make it seem more like fun, the socials will.
What if I want to run a different project?
We're always looking for new project topics. If we can't fit you in this term, we can in Hilary. Get in touch to begin organising something new.
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