ES2S204 - Participatory Project 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES2S204
Module Title: Participatory Project
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Thomas Lambourne
Module Team: Anthony Harris, Jonathan Duckett, Gareth Powell
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100469 - environmental management 100812 - project management 101510 - environmentalism
HECOS Code Weighting: 20 10 70

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To work collaboratively with community groups or organisations to address challenges associated with the local environment.

To develop the inter-personal skills of the student through their participation in a community-based development project.

To appraise the theoretical and practical dimensions of participatory project working and critically reflect on personal development, self-empowerment and the practice of participation.

To further develop qualitative and quantitative research skills and project management skills.

In engaging with the module, students will fully achieve level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the following USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Communication - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Leadership - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Project Management - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

This module is based on the production of knowledge and action within the local or regional context. Participatory work is conducted through collaboration with local communities and external partners, to co-produce outcomes on participatory environmental and development projects.

Students will develop and deliver a participatory project, focused on addressing local environmental challenges. This may involve designing the project, undertaking scoping studies, engaging in hands-on working, undertaking awareness raising initiatives and engaging with ethical, safety and risk-management issues. The module will be supplemented through a series of tutorials, that consider the evolution of participatory working and the theoretical, methodological, practical and ethical questions and dilemmas that may arise as a result.

Students will develop their project management skills, including with the development of project start-up and scope, communication plan, project and quality planning, risk management, change management, project control and project close.

Students will review and further develop their qualitative and quantitative research skills dealing with project data.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Tutorial 20
Project supervision 12
Practical classes and workshops 10
Independent Study 100
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 6
Groupwork 52
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Evaluate the effectiveness of collaborative participatory working with community groups and organisations for the co-production of knowledge.
LO2 Explain and apply the theoretical and practical ideas of participation and project management.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 A project plan for delivering the participatory project. 0 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project Output 1 Participatory project output and evaluation. 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1
Project Output 1

Reading List

Clifford, N., Cope, M., Gillespie, T. and French, S., 2016. Key Methods in Geography. Sage.

Dytham, C., 2011. Choosing and Using Statistics: A Biologist's Guide. 3rd ed. Wiley-Blackwell.

Maylor, H., 2017. Project Management. Fourth edition. Harlow: Pearson.

Kindon, S. Pain, R. Kesby, M. 2007, Participatory Action Research, Routledge.

Ledwith, M. Springett, J. 2010, Participatory Practice: community-based action for transformative change, Oxford: Policy Press

Montello, D. and Sutton, P., 2012. An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography and Environmental Studies. Sage.

Office of Government Commerce, 2009. Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2. 5th ed. London: TSO.

Rogerson, P. 2019. Statistical Methods for Geography: A Student’s Guide (5th ed). Sage.

Russ, A., and Krasny, M.E., 2017. Urban Environmental Education Review. Ithaca, New York: Comstock Publishing Associates.

Somekh, B. 2006, Action Research: a methodology for change and development, OUP