CEWIL Resource Hub: Applied Research Project at the University of Lethbridge

Applied Studies courses are conducted on an individual basis. Each course experience is designed and delivered by two faculty members (the Applied Studies coordinator and a disciplinary expert), a workplace supervisor, and the student. Students express their interest in a paid or volunteer work experience and develop a research proposal linking the practical work and proposed research question. Students also propose this research question to a faculty member whose discipline aligns with the proposal. The student consults and collaborates with both the faculty member and the applied studies coordinator to design course learning outcomes and a research assignment. 

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Key success factors

  • The structure of the projects engages faculty members regarding the benefits of WIL. Disciplinary experts (i.e. professors) volunteer their time and effort outside of their normal load to grade APST coursework.
  • Student engagement is required; participants need to be independent and self-motivated to achieve their learning objectives. 

Unique characteristics

  • The disciplinary credit applied studies program is highly unique: each course is tailored to the individual student and includes an employer partner, a faculty partner, and an Applied Studies (APST) coordinator. 
  • Students work independently on a custom research project while completing a placement.    

Challenges

  • It's sometimes difficult to find the expertise needed to support technically specific research topics.
  • There's a lack of funding for employer partners who are interested in supporting students by hiring them.

Resources

Key characteristics

  • Type: Applied Research Project
  • Year program was established: 1973
  • Number of students per year: 250 (77% are 300 or 400 level)
  • Number of employers/partners per year: 105 (65% off campus)
  • Programs/academic disciplines participating: All disciplines (excluding social work and graduate studies)
  • Duration of experience: 120 hours over 12 weeks, students often exceed the minimum
  • Submitted by: Stacey Gaudette-Sharp