The UCT Knowledge Co-op is there to connect community groups and research topics that are relevant to them. If you are a student, the list of available projects may have an issue you are keen to develop for your dissertation by pooling your academic expertise with the community partner's local knowledge and insight .
Why should I get involved?
From your work with the Co-op you can:
- Gain valuable work experience.
- Work with people in local communities.
- Gain greater depth of knowledge in an area that interests you.
- Understand how community organisations work.
- Apply the theory you learn at university in practical situations.
- Build networks that you draw on in the future.
- Learn new skills.
How does this work?
Step 1: Look at the projects from the AVAILABLE PROJECTS page and see if there is anything that matches your current research interests.
Step 2: Choose a project that interests you and contact us about it using the STUDENT SUBMISSION FORM.
Step 3: After about a week we will have got back to you with more details of what research is required.
Step 4: Speak to your academic supervisor and decide whether the research with the community group will fit course requirements.
Step 5: Provided that both your supervisor and the Co-op project manager think you are suitable for the project, the UCT Knowledge Co-op will introduce you to the community group. At a set-up meeting you will explain your proposal and, should the community partner regard that as useful for their work, the project will go ahead.
Step 6: Carry out research in collaboration with the community group and reap the benefits of having your research make a positive impact on people's lives.
How have other people found the experience?
To find out what it is like to conduct research through the knowledge co-op or work for the knowledge co-op, you can read about student and staff experiences at our PEOPLE page.
If you have any further questions then visit our FAQ's or CONTACT US .