Course Overview
Concept
Under the overarching theme of ‘transnational organised crime’, every year a specific research topic of particular significance is chosen by the programme coordinators.
Up to 20 students participate in and complete the programme for academic credit each year. The participating students are supervised by the academic staff who coordinate the teaching component of the programme, guide the research process, and, supported by other experts, deliver training on presentation skills, academic writing, and critical analysis of the literature in this field of study. Monthly guest presentations (in person and online) by officials, practitioners, and other experts supplement the programme.
Schedule and organisation
The annual programme runs on the northern hemisphere academic calendar, commencing in September/October and concluding in May of the following year.
Application and admission
Students from the participating institutions apply for admission to the programme in about September/October. Applicants are vetted through a selection process, taking into account, inter alia, students’ academic performance, their field of study and progression, prior research experience, foreign language abilities, and statement of interest. The admission requirements and selection process and deadlines vary between the universities; applicants are advised to check with their home institution for details.
Research phase
Students choose and commence their research projects in October/November and, for the following three months, undertake research under the supervision of the academic staff and meet regularly to discuss the research process and gain additional research and presentation skills training. During this period, students work at their home university. In addition, an online platform is used to enable communication between all participants, provide access to key reading and learning material, and to share resources and research findings. Students further develop a short research outline of their projects and participate in guest lectures by leading officials and academic experts in the field.
Presentations; joint teaching days
In February, students and academic staff from the participating universities come together for a period of one week to present their research projects and initial findings, attend workshops and lectures by the academic staff and guest presenters, critique each other’s work, and develop a research plan for the next phase of their projects. Location and host of the joint teaching dates rotated between the participating universities.
Student presentations (duration 50 minutes each including presentation, discussion, and feedback) are graded according to academic standards of the home institution. Students obtain extensive feedback with instructions for the further direction of their research projects.
Writing phase
From late February until early May, students continue their research under the supervision of the academic staff and meet regularly at their home institution. During this period, special workshops are held to further develop students’ academic writing skills and discuss how to critically engage with the literature and develop observations and recommendations relevant to their projects. Guest presentations by officials and academic experts supplement the research during this period.
Assessment and further work
Students submit their research papers in early May for assessment by the academic staff. Deadlines vary between the participating universities.
From about June onwards, academic staff and students collaborate to edit papers for publication. This only extends to selected papers of a suitable quality.
Timeline-summary
- September/October: Students apply for course at home universities
- October/November: Students choose and commence their research topics
- October – January: Students carry out research under supervision of academic staff / research training sessions commence
- December: Students submit research outlines
- February: Students present research findings during joint teaching days
- February –May: Students continue research under supervision of academic staff, and write research papers
- Early May: Students submit research papers
- June onwards: Selected student papers are edited for publication