Project collaboration - a new perspective on the company’s problem statement
What is project collaboration?
The students’ semester project will be the basis for the collaboration. Together with the student(s), you will formulate a problem statement based on your practice and relevant for the students’ academic field. The student(s) will then prepare a research-based analysis based on the agreed problem statement. We recommend that you frame an arrangement with the students so that the results will be delivered in a format that is relevant to you. In return, you will provide the relevant resources, empirical basis and professional feedback in relation to their work.
Collaboration typically involves a group of students. In some cases (usually in a master’s thesis context) a student will work on the project alone.
Duration: The collaboration normally lasts 3-5 months, but varies from study programme to study programme.
What does your company gain from project collaboration?
- You will receive a thoroughly prepared, academic and critical analysis of your challenge.
- You will have the opportunity to learn more about specific academic/professional areas and meet potential employees.
- You will make the students more familiar with your company and the areas you work with.
How does it work?
1) Prepare a project proposal
- The collaboration is based on the student(s’) study programme, and therefore it needs to meet the academic standards of the relevant study programme. It is up to the students to ensure that it is relevant, but please note that the students can make adjustment to your initial proposal.
- The project can be based on a specific challenge that the students can use to formulate an academic problem statement.
- You can also choose to start with a more open approach for dialogue, where you present your company and the areas that you would like to collaborate within.
- Upload the proposal in our Roskilde University Job and Project Portal. If you need help formulating your proposal please contact us at samarbejde@ruc.dk.
Deadline: If you want to collaborate with a group of students in the spring, we need your proposal during the November-January period. If it is for a collaboration in the autumn, we need it in the June-August period.
2) Invest your time
You need to invest some time in this and arrange for the students to have access to relevant data, interview subjects, etc. Some companies also offer office facilities. You determine the scope of your participation yourselves.
3) Align expectations beforehand
The most successful collaboration begins with a mutual agreement on what is going to happen and when. Therefore, we recommend that you draft an agreement about the knowledge-exchange between the students and your company before you start collaborating.
You should consider:
- You are participating in a scientific study, but perhaps you prefer to have the results delivered in a different and more operational format than a research project.
- The students want to gain access to your empirical data and to receive your professional feedback on their work.
Therefore, agree upon how the results and inputs should be delivered during and as a conclusion to the period of collaboration.