Watch this short video of Aisling Flynn, our Experiential Learning lead, who explains the initiative and its core purpose.
If you are interested in facilitating work related or community engaged learning in your module, we are here to help.
What we can do for you:
Check out the "Exemplars of Community Engaged and Work Related Learning at MU" tab to view some of the promotion work to date.
For 2022/23:
Step One: Register Your Interest
Please complete the registration of interest form as soon as possible, but no later than Friday 20th May 2022.
Step Two: Build a Partnership
If you have expressed an interest in us reaching out to connect you with an external partner we will work to identify a suitable match for you and be in touch via e-mail.
If you have expressed an interest in exploring the project live initiative with an existing contact to benefit from the resources, supports and profiling that this initiative offers, we will follow up via e-mail with further information and the application form.
Step Three: Agree Module Fit and Apply to the Programme
Work with your partner to agree interaction points and end deliverables. If you have identified a project need / brief that is the right fit for you both we invite you both to submit a joint application form by no later than Friday 10th June 2022. All the Project Live applications are reviewed by the Expert Panel. Successful applicants are then notified via e-mail by the Experiential Learning Office and (if applicable) funding is transferred shortly thereafter.
The aim of this initiative is to stimulate, support, celebrate and sustain the delivery of curriculum-based community engaged or work-related learning, by providing an opportunity for engagement to those who have not had capacity, administrative or funding support to date. If funding is applied for, it is to be used to support the delivery of community engaged or work-related learning by academics and external partners at Maynooth University.
Step 4: Feedback and Evaluation
We ask all participants to complete an evaluation and short report and return it to us before the end of the Semester.
If you have a question about the Project Live experience please e-mail the team at projectlive@mu.ie
What is out of scope?
- Short Term Placements
- Individual Postgraduate Theses
- Presentations/Visits with no student participation/reflection
- Individual Academic Research Projects
- Projects with Community Consultation rather than participation
- Professional Placement Modules
- Projects requiring students to take up a non paid or Volunteering Positions
I teach multiple modules. Can I be in receipt of funding for more than one project live experience in one academic year?
Unfortunately, not. Our funding is limited therefore individual academics are only eligible for one project live experience each academic year. This means Academics can only secure up to one €3000 Project Live fund per academic year.
My module currently contains an element(s) of work related or community engaged learning. Can I apply for Project Live funding in respect of this module for the coming academic year?
Yes, once your current/future partners are happy to sign up to the project live experience. We will also ask you to outline how the teaching and learning experience will be enhanced with project live funding.
I already did my own version of Project Live last semester /academic year. Can I apply for funding retrospectively?
Unfortunately, not. Project live funding can only be used to enhance current teaching modules and funding cannot be provided for teaching enhancements that happened in the past.
What can the funding be used for?
Funding can be used to directly enhance the provision of experiential learning in the curriculum. On this basis, expenses not covered by the project live fund includes:
- Accommodation costs
- Academic travel expenses
- Office supplies
- Conference registrations
- Activities already taken place
Covered expenses include but are not limited to:
- Teaching assistant expenses to support in the direct delivery of the project
- Buy-out of applicants teaching time in another module to focus on the delivery of project live
- Software, but careful consideration should be given to sustainability and how such software would be funded post project live
- Specialised technical equipment clearly aligned to the outcomes of the Project Live Proposal
- Stipend of up to €100 for travel related expenses for the community / industry partner
Will my external partners travel expenses be covered by Project Live?
We do advise a proportion of your Project Live funding to be allocated to travel costs of your external partner, although the decision as to whether to do so and the process of reimbursing them for their expenses is the responsibility of the academic.
Do I apply to Project Live to find an External partner to help me achieve my personal research goals?
Project Live is focused on the enhancement of teaching and learning in the curriculum. Although finding a future research partner may be a benefit of participating in project live, it is not its core purpose and should not be used for such.
There are other schemes in MU available for this purpose: visit the Centre for Teaching and Learning to learn more.
Do you support the submission of joint proposal applications from academics in two departments?
Yes, absolutely, once your external stakeholder is open to the multidisciplinary project live experience.
How will I receive the funding?
This will be administered into your general research account. If you do not have a general research account an alternative method will be arranged.
I already have an External Partner for a Project Live Experience. What do I do?
If you have already identified an external partner you will engage with as part of the Project Live initiative, please register your interest and the team will be in touch with further information .This application form must be co-written by both parties.
If you have a question that's not answered above please do not hesitate to contact the Project Live team at projectlive@mu.ie
Attend a Drop In Session
The best way to have your questions answered is to join us at one of our Drop In Sessions:
E-mail the Team
You can e-mail the Project Live Team (Aisling, Jennifer and Máire) at projectlive@mu.ie
Register Your Interest
We invite academic staff to register their interest in this initiative as soon as possible, but no later than Friday 20th May 2022.
For 2022/23:
1. Tell us your proposal / need
Please e-mail us at projectlive@mu.ie
2. Build a Partnership
Once you have expressed interest the Project Live team will share and promote your proposal among our academic colleagues, who may express an interest in embedding it into their module. If there is no uptake in this iteration we are happy to keep it on file for future live projects, should you wish.
3. Co-Create a Project Live Application
If a module has been identified that is the right for your need we invite you and your Academic Partner to submit an application form. The Academic will submit this on your behalf. We encourage these to be submitted as early as is conveniently possible.
Step 4: Engage
All the Project Live applications are then reviewed by the Expert Panel. Successful applicants are then notified via e-mail by the Experiential Learning Office. We ask all participants to complete an evaluation and short report and return it to us before the end of the Semester. If you encounter any issues, don't hesitate to contact projectlive@mu.ie
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of actions does Project Live Support?
Project Live supports partnerships between academic departments / individual teaching staff and external stakeholders (both community and industry) that are primarily concerned with meeting the needs of our stakeholders while also providing students with a deeper and more hands on learning experience involving the application of theory to practice using experiential learning methodologies and processes.
Why should we engage with the University? What are the benefits?
The university environment is a vibrant and innovative space for new ideas and theories but this experience is truly transformative when students can become co-creators of practical responses to real world problems/issues by working alongside industry and community experts. Through their participation in Project Live our students and academics are bringing passion for their subject, their energy, resources and skills to the table and making a meaningful practical contribution to your project/business.
What level of engagement and time commitment is required?
The level of engagement and involvement is decided by you and the academic partner at the outset and depends on a number of factors including; the complexity of the project, the length and nature of the academic module (course), the time commitment that is required from students and the nature of their involvement.
What does the process look like?
The process varies depending on the entry route. However, we endeavour to review external partner needs and attempt to match you with an academic who has a module that might be a good fit for your organisation. If there is not a suitable match on this round of Project Live we are happy to keep your project brief on file for future iterations, should you wish.
I have a number of different projects/ideas. Can I submit them all?
Yes, we encourage external stakeholders to identify as many needs as possible. While we will not be able to meet all of these requirements in one semester, it will improve the possibility of finding an academic partner if stakeholders can identify a number of ideas that might be appropriate across a number of academic disciplines.
I have already identified a partner within the university that I would like to work with . Can I approach them directly?
If you already know what your organisation requires and you have an existing relationship with an academic department or individual at MU you will both still need to submit an application to the programme in order to be considered.
Note that we cannot guarantee that academic departments will be successful in their application so it might be useful to contact the project live team at projectlive@mu.ie so you can be connected with other similar departments in order to increase your chances of being successful with your project.
I already have a partner within the university that I work with. Why should I apply for Project Live?
MU Project Live has been developed to enhance the universities capacity to engage with the wider community. By engaging with Project Live you will be giving your partner academic/department the opportunity to receive funding that will enhance their capacity to work with you. Involvement in the Project will also give your organisation exposure to a wider audience. All Project Live participants will be featured in university promotional materials and successful projects will be promoted as Case Studies for best practice in work related and engaged learning at MU.
Who owns the finished product? What are the Intellectual Property Considerations?
As Project Live is developed in line with the universities' policy on public engagement its primary purpose is the creation of material/products or services that directly benefit the external stakeholder. Projects will be referred to the Commercialisation Office where a specific issue arises concerning product ownership.
How can we be sure that our needs will be met?
The Project Live Team will ask you to address a number of key questions that will help you to clearly identify your project needs. This includes considering what type of material you hope to produce and whether your project might be more suitable for undergraduate/postgraduate students etc. The Team will also assist with the drawing up of a contract with your academic partner to ensure clarity around roles, responsibilities and agreed outcomes.
If you have a question that's not answered above please do not hesitate to contact the Project Live team at projectlive@mu.ie
Students who undertake modules with a community engaged or work related learning component benefit in many ways:
Learning Outcomes
- Positive impact on academic learning that extends beyond the module
- Improves Analysis, Critical Thinking and Cognitive Development and helps with understanding complex academic theories
- Helps students to connect theory to practice and apply what they have learnt through real world experiences
Personal Outcomes
- Improving Self Efficacy - Building self confidence in your skills and abilities to work through tasks competently
- Strengthening Interpersonal/Personal Skills - teamwork, leadership, communication
Social Outcomes
- Greater intercultural understanding and social analysis
- Builds innovation and networking skills with your community
- Increases potential for active citizenship and public engagement after graduation.
Career Development
- Connections with Professionals and Communities for Career and Learning Opportunities
- Improved academic performance combined with better interpersonal skills and increased confidence can lead to greater opportunities .
Relationship with your University/Your College Experience
- Stronger relationships with your peers, your lecturers and your faculty
- More active participation leads to greater satisfaction with your college experience
- Both of these benefits contribute to stronger graduation rates.
