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APPLIED STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

WHAT IS ASR?

 

Applied Student Research (ASR) is an opportunity for students to address the needs of their community for academic credit in a hands-on way, bridging the gap between theories taught in the classroom and their practical application.

 

While the classical education structure provides students with a foundation of knowledge in their field of study, it doesn't necessarily engage them in community-grounded problems and the development of interdisciplinary solutions. ASR, on the other hand, is an applied learning process that focuses on a specific challenge faced by the community, and is supported by members of that community. It is driven by students, is guided by professors and community experts, and it draws on the research infrastructure of the university.

CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY:

 

ASR seeks to address the needs of a specific community, often local, which may include neighbourhoods, universities, or organizations. The needs may involve dealing with a lack of resources, negative consequences of curretn practices, or obstacles in reaching common goals. For instance, in response to an inefficient use of campus resources, an ASR project team might invetigate research intensive solutions that would not otherwise be feasible for non-academic univerity staff to explore due to time and budgetary constraints.

 

With the help of a professor's expertise, students can determine if and how these solutions can be applied and institutionalized. Staff members can then review assessment and consider taking steps for implementation.

STAKEHOLDER ROLES

STUDENTS

 

When getting involved in ASR, students are expected to take ownership of their project. They are charged with reviewing the existing literature on their topic, developing relationships with stakeholders, and addressing the community's needs during the project period. Their work must adhere to academic standards of quality and add value to the pursuits and endeavors of their community client.

FACULTY

 

The faculty supervisor is responsible for overseeing the work of the student. They help develop a research strategy, give feedback, provide academic resources, ensure the adherence to academic standards, and grade the final product.

COMMUNITY CLIENTS

 

The clients can be individuals or groups from the community that benefit from the research. Their role includes helping guide the direction of the student's work, contributing resources (eg. documents, building access), and reviewing the students' final report.  A successful student project should provide research results that the client can act on.

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