IA40830 Applied Sustainability Project

Academic Year 2023/2024

Students who want to pursue a MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability after completing the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking can take a 30 ECTS IA40830 Applied Sustainability Project*.

IA40830 Applied Sustainability Project is a problem-based project focused on solving a real sustainability problem. The project is led on an individual level to develop a students’ mastery of the methodology - Design Thinking for Sustainability. The module asks students to apply the cumulative knowledge and skills learned to date to help a specific organisation (enterprise, non-profit, start-up) integrate sustainability into their strategy, operations, and / or governance, ensuring that sustainability will be grounded as a source of innovation for driving environmental, social and economic change. Students will work individually, with a high level of autonomy, and closely with the relevant organisation, to apply the design thinking methodology to an organisation-wide sustainability need or opportunity.

There may be limited opportunities to work with a IA partner(s) on projects, enquiries can be made to MSc programme lead. Ultimately, onus is on students to organise identify a project topic and host organisation in consultation with the programme lead or delegated individuals . A project proposal must be completed, submitted and approved as part of the Entry Requirements for the MSc.

Guidance for the projects will include a series of meetings organised by the module facilitator(s) to promote reflection and peer learning, and input from relevant experts within UCD Innovation Academy. Students should plan on the following sessions (check for the specific dates):

Project Kickoff for Cohort (2 hours)
3 x Group mentoring sessions 9:30-16:30
Presentation Day 9:30-16:30

*Please note:
To take this modules students must be enrolled in the MSc in Design Thinking for Sustainability.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students who have successfully completed the IA40830 Applied Sustainability Project will be able to:

1. Embrace an entrepreneurial mindset in recognising opportunities in order to scope out a specific problem-to-be-solved in a sustainability context.

2. Apply Design Thinking as an iterative process utilising both a sustainability and innovative mindset, demonstrating resilience in overcoming obstacles and barriers.
3. Leading a project as an individual, demonstrate an ability to identify and engage key partners and collaborators.

4. Design and test sustainability initiatives and solutions relevant and applicable to real-world organisations.

5. Advise diverse stakeholders on how to respond to and mitigate sustainability challenges, and identify and act on opportunities.

6. Communicate persuasively proposed solutions and plans using supporting evidence, insights and an awareness of assumptions, to influence different stakeholders and decision-makers.

7. Demonstrate the ability for self-guided learning and how to leverage adjacent qualifications, knowledge and experiences for the sustainability field.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

9
Small Group

21
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

534
Total

600
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Participants identify a project topic and host organisation focused on solving a real sustainability problem.

Guidance for the projects will include a series of meetings organised by Innovation Academy facilitator(s) to promote reflection and peer learning, and input from relevant experts within UCD Innovation.

At the end of the project phase, participants will share their project and lessons learnt with their class and an audience of their peers.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Completion of the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability [F189]


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Presentation of work undertaken, results and recommendations presented to a panel of relevant experts including the partner organisation. Including: Final presentation and functioning prototype. Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

30
Project: Report on host organisation's sustainability challenge. Format is flexible. Includes: Design Thinking Iteration Diary, stakeholder & empathy map, and prototype see MSc manual for explaination. Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

35
Assignment: Reflective An individual reflective essay submitted at the end of the module following the What, So What and What Next format. Essay: Format can be written, video or audio.

Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

35

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback is available upon request.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 36 Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 26, 31 Fri 09:00 - 16:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20 Mon 09:00 - 16:50
Spring