Programme information

Working as an embedded researcher at a museum or heritage organisation, you will conduct independent research while developing, implementing, monitoring or evaluating an intervention in the museum or heritage field. The professional placement gives students an opportunity to develop their professional skills, attitude and experience and apply in a working environment the theoretical and practical knowledge they have acquired during the programme. In addition, the placement is a way to build one’s network and increase access to the labour market. It differs from an internship in the sense that your responsibility at the hosting organisation is to conduct embedded research, rather than being engaged in day-to-day operations.

In January, at a research market, professional organisations will present their issues and concomitant research needs for students to choose from. After finding a mutual match in terms of research topic and expectations, you will subsequently work on a research plan, assisted by more in-depth seminars on intervention research design, methods and data analysis. Building on the previous modules, you will work on the articulation of the problem at hand, and a detailed work plan for the research that is needed in order to develop, implement, monitor, and/or evaluate an intervention at a host institution of choice. In most cases, the research will consist of a combination of desk research, emotion networking, interviews and fieldwork. In workshops and class assignments, students will further develop their skills in these realms. The main research findings are summarised and presented with a poster at the Reinwardt Academy at the end of term 4.

To be able to:

• compare and contrast various research strategies and methodologies;
• identify, recognise and analyse (conflicting) interests, stakes and emotions of involved actors with multiple backgrounds;
• demonstrate historical knowledge and historical awareness within the context of intervention research.
• conduct independent research in the process of designing, implementing, monitoring or evaluating an intervention in a theoretically, practically and ethically substantiated manner on behalf of a client;
• design and/or implement, in co-creation, interventions around heritage objects addressing a societal issue, while acknowledging (conflicting) interests, stakes and emotions of involved actors with diverse backgrounds;
• demonstrate effective collaborative, project and change management skills in the process of developing, implementing, monitoring or evaluating a professional intervention in the museum or heritage field.
• develop meaningful and ethical recommendations for the design or implementation of a professional intervention on behalf of a client, and in relation to sustainability, inclusivity or digitality;
• design an appealing academic poster in professional English, and present it clearly to peers;
• listen to stakeholders and effectively communicate ideas;
• effectively communicate to senior management.
• present research data, and the discussion thereof, in writing in accordance with international standards;
• critically reflect on, and assess, their own role and impact as a professional active in the museum and heritage field;
• demonstrate autonomous learning.

Formative assessment is provided during workshops at which students present their progress. In addition at a proposal presentation students present an outline of their intervention research proposal for constructive criticism. This criticism can be taken on board in the final research proposal. Only if the presentation is deemed sufficient can de student progress to the placement. After the placement, students present their preliminary findings in a poster for peer feedback.

Students will be summatively assessed based on:

• Research report, in which the student analyses the data collected as an embedded researcher placed in an organisation working on an intervention. The reports includes a discussion of the research question, research methods, acquired data, analysis, and conclusions and recommendations to the hosting organisation with regard to the intervention addressed. The research component is what is assessed, not the intervention itself.
• A placement report including a self-assessment on the professional experience and development at the host institution. It should reflect on personal growth, shortfalls and professional conduct, based on the evaluation provided by the host supervisor.
• After the submission of the research and the placement report, the student will defend both reports in a final examination.