SaitoHammond
Supporting master’s course students to become early career researchers: transforming assignments into publications in Medicine and Education
This project addresses a critical need in higher education: supporting Master’s degree students in transforming their course assessment work into publishable manuscripts. By focusing on this often-overlooked area, the project contributes to educational excellence and professional development goals, aligning with Monash University’s 2030 Strategic Plan. The collaboration between Monash University’s Faculty of Education and Warwick University’s School of Medicine seeks to create a structured, evidence-based program to help students overcome common barriers to publication, such as lack of time, support, and confidence.
Historically, Master’s students have received less support in publishing their work than doctoral students despite the potential of their research. This project responds to that gap by engaging students as stakeholders through an action research approach, co-designing a framework that makes the publication process more accessible. A series of workshops, mentoring sessions, and practical guidance provide students with the tools to develop high-quality manuscripts, while faculty members also benefit from enhanced teaching and mentoring experiences.
The project’s transdisciplinary approach combines expertise from education and medicine, integrating insights from both fields. This cross-institutional collaboration ensures the framework is adaptable to various academic settings and disciplines, benefiting a diverse range of students. The initiative aims not only to increase publication rates among Master’s students but also to strengthen student-supervisor relationships, fostering a more dynamic academic environment.
In the short term, the project expects increased student publications to benefit students pursuing further academic careers and those seeking a competitive edge in the professional world. In the long term, the project aims to develop a framework that can be scaled and shared with other universities, contributing to global efforts to improve educational practices and research outcomes.
Principle applicants
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Co-applicants
Monash University
Dr Sun Yee Yip, School of Curriculum, Teaching and Inclusive Education, and Dr Philip Wing Keung Chan, Education, Culture and Society
University of Warwick
Dr Saran Shantikumar, Warwick Medical School, Division of Health Sciences, and Dr Deborah Biggerstaff, Warwick Medical School,
Division of Health Sciences