Student Application Form for Participation in
Co-Creation Project: Developing a story line
and game design based on post-war memory in
Kosovo
Before completing this application form, please read and consider the following carefully:
About the Project
This project aims to advance our understanding of young people’s engagement with heritage sites and gaming. It involves a total of 12 interested students from different disciplines and Bournemouth University’s four faculties. Students will be involved in a fieldtrip to Kosovo on 13-19 March 2016 for the purpose of story line development and game design based on post-war memory at selected sites in Kosovo. The collaboration also relies on external stakeholders in post-war Kosovo including local students and colleagues from the University of Prishtina, Human Rights and conflict-transformation experts, the British Council and various others. Our aim is to explore the potentials of ‘gaming’ for education and enhancing visitors’ experience at heritage sites.
How will the students benefit?
Participating students will
· be part of a fully funded field-trip to Kosovo;
· gain a unique experience out of ‘the beaten track’ in Europe;
· be involved in interdisciplinary, creative and collaborative research design, story line and game development;
· gain practical research experience (excluding primary data collection unless you are a PG student and ethics approval for your specific project has been granted);
· enhance their CV and portfolios and make unique professional contacts;
· generate cutting-edge dissertation, ideas and projects;
· enjoy special access to a cross-disciplinary academic team and their experienced guidance;
· gain global, ethical and cultural awareness of post-conflict situations.
Student Requirements
Students are expected to be fully involved in, and commit to, the activities below. While these activities are fully funded, in case of drop-out without proof of personal illness, serious bereavement or unavoidable caring duties that have arisen on short notice, the following costs incurred by the university may be charged:
1. In case we cannot arrange for a replacement student: cancellation charges for travel and accommodation plus an administrative fee of £80.00.
2. In case we are in a position to find a student to take the place: transfer charges of travel and accommodation arrangements plus an administrative fee of £80.00.
Further to this financial obligation, with acceptance of your place you commit yourself to participation in:
1. A Preparation Workshop for the fieldtrip and pre-reading: In early 2016 there will be a workshop (date t.b.c., likely to involve a weekend in late January or early February) where we will prepare for the fieldtrip to Kosovo through a Reconciliation exercise and team activities aimed at the development of the necessary background knowledge.
2. Fieldtrip to Kosovo (one week). Current plans envisage travelling out on Sunday, 13th March 2016 and returning on Saturday, 19th March, so that we will have five full working days available in Kosovo. Before applying, please make sure this does not conflict with your assessment schedules and other commitments (e.g., make sure you submit your assignments beforehand, if needed; that you do not miss any exams; or notify your lecturers in case you might miss any lectures). The costs of this fieldtrip (accommodation, transport and subsidies) are fully covered. The programme will include visiting memorial sites and engaging with local stakeholder groups, students and academics of Prishtina University, and non-academic post-conflict organisations (see above). There will be sessions to start developing the story line for the game, set tasks to be worked on in mixed teams and key questions that need answering. Participating students will also be asked to blog about their experience during the field visit.
3. Back in the UK, and after some period of reflection, we will seek to address the questions posed on the fieldtrip to further advance the story line development. A workshop will be scheduled for this activity in May 2015 (exact date, t.b.c). You are most welcome to use the knowledge which you would have generated in your dissertation and projects (duly credited) and you will be requested to present your findings in front of your peers. The storylines developed will be owned by the project, and it will be the first of its formal outputs.
4. Under the leadership of Associate Professor Feng Tian and based upon the story line, students with an interest in game developing will work towards a game design. The game design will be the second output of the project.
Please note:
1. We are seeking committed, curious and motivated students with a good record of study achievements. Ideally, you have a clear vision of how to include this engagement in your own professional development plans, e.g. dissertation projects and/or future career. You may be asked to attend a selection interview (please look out for email communication to that effect).
2. This project involves working with key stakeholders and networks in Kosovo on a sensitive topic. You are expected to represent BU and your faculty in a professional, respectful and ethical manner when engaging with local partners, students of Prishtina University and other students/lecturers on the project. As part of this, it is of the upmost importance that you are able to commit to the project’s time schedule; attend the field trip, the preparation and post-trip workshops. Unless there is an emergency situation which prevents travel, we expect successful applicants to go through with the project and the trip.
3. With selection and acceptance of the funding you will accept the following drop-out clause (see also Student Requirements above): if you let us know that you cannot participate up to three weeks in advance of the fieldtrip we will make efforts to find a replacement and will offer your place on the project and field trip to another student. If this is not possible you will be requested to cover the applicable costs as outlined above. If you are selected and in any doubt about your ability to participate, you are expected to notify the project team as soon as possible so that, hopefully, such costs can be avoided!
4. The selection process in most faculties (depending on demand) will include the short-listing and interviewing of suitable candidates. Successfully shortlisted candidates will be informed of the interview date within one week of submission of the application form. The submission deadline for the application form is Friday, November 6, 2015. Please send your finalized application to and please copy in your faculty’s project leader (Dr Melanie Klinkner, FMC; Dr Avital Biran, FM; Assoc. Prof Feng Tian, FST; Dr Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers, FHSS).
1. Personal DetailsSurname…………………………………………………….
Forename(s)
Preferred title
(Prof/Dr/Miss/Mr/Mrs/Ms)
Address
Postcode / Contact:
Home
Work
Mobile
2. Education, Relevant Work Experience and Training
Please feel free to add rows where appropriate.
Education
Year / Length of Course / Degree / Subject
Employment/Work Experience
Year / Job title / Duties
Training
Year / Period / Type of Training
Add sheet if required
2. Time commitments
Participation in the project will include taking part in: 1) A preparation workshop during a weekend in late January/ early February 2016, exact dates t.b.c.; 2) Fieldtrip to Kosovo during 13-19 March 2016; 3) A one day post-trip workshop in May 2015, exact date t.b.c. Please, provide details on any other commitments you might have during the second semester and this time period (e.g., assignments submission dates, exam dates or lectures you might miss).
Assignments
Lectures
Exams
Other
3. In support of your application
Please tell us why you wish to take part in the project, what interests you and how you would benefit from the project. This can include how the project relates to your studies, choice of dissertation topic, placement options, career ambitions etc. No more than 500 words, please add a sheet if required.
I understand that, in the case I will be selected for participation in this project but will drop-out before the field trip commences, I will be charged the costs incurred by BU (for details see above, ‘student requirements’ and note no. 3).
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(Signature) (Print name)
4. RefereePlease nominate one academic at BU who we may contact regarding your knowledge, skills, attributes and suitability for participation in this project.
Name
Position
Telephone
Capacity in which known
Please send the completed application form to:
no later than Friday 6 November, 2015