Do you want your dissertation to make a difference?

If you’re starting to plan your third year or postgraduate dissertation, have you thought about how you can use your research to promote social good?

BU has signed up to an NUS initiative called Dissertations for Good (DfG) which connects students with external organisations who then work together to complete research projects into social, economic and environmental sustainability. The result is a piece of student work that contributes in a tangible way, by producing a report that is useful for their partnered organisation.

DfG helps students to improve their communication, interpersonal, problem-solving and organisation skills, as well as developing their ability to use their initiative and self-motivate. It also provides valuable CV-enhancing experience of working in the outside world.

All students looking to undertake a research project at BU can register and create a profile. This allows you to search the organisations participating in DfG. You then request to be partnered with the organisation and organise a planning meeting. You, your supervisor and a representative from the partner organisation meet to discuss the project and work together to make the project a success.

If you are interested, talk to your supervisor about using DfG and go to www.nus.org.uk/dfg to register.

Good luck with your project.

Professor Chris Shiel, BA (Hons), MSc, PhD, Principal Fellow HEA