Project Development

Our community is buzzing with ideas. For those who want to develop or scale up digital and data-led projects, we're here to help. 

 

How we can help

For researchers within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, we offer practical assistance in developing projects. 

We can provide an informal sounding board for ideas in early stages, offering guidance on possible next steps, options and troubleshooting. Within our core team, we have experience and expertise across many disciplines and research methods.

If you have a digital or data-led project that you think we might be able to help with, let us know. We can give advice on how to get started and may be able to connect you to others with relevant interests and experience.

We are also able to help with identifying relevant funding sources, and we sometimes call for proposals for small funded projects. Calls are announced on our Funding page.

 

Fikas

We support project development through our monthly Digital Fikas, where you can meet other people working on data-led projects across the college, and cab discuss ideas over coffee.

A research technologist from the Digital Innovation team also comes along to fika events, to chat through technical issues and provide informal advice. 

 

Research Technologist & Research Services Clinics

The Research Technologist within the CAHSS Digital Innovation Team provides support to researchers working on digital projects and websites. We can arrange a meeting to talk through early stage ideas, troubleshoot or get guidance on ongoing projects.

CAHSS Research Services Drop-In Clinics are held on the third Thursday of every month. Members of the Research Services team are available to meet with the University's research community to discuss services available, provide assistance, and help with any research computing problems. 

Python Design
Credit:
Original image - Shahadat Shemul; graphic mashup created with use of Canva
Unsplash.com / Shahadat Shemul

I’m researching contemporary political events in the Middle East using data scraped from social media. I needed to identify how to develop my own coding skills to enable me to capture data effectively. I went along to one of the CDCS clinics, and the research technologist was able to help me sort out my python scripts: it was extremely useful and in a short time, with his help, I was able to make a huge step forward with my research. I’ve since successfully applied for a CDCS bursary to develop my skills at a Social Media Methods summer school, from which my project will also benefit enormously.

- Adam Ferron, PhD student in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

Edinburgh Research Office

The Research Office can provide specialist knowledge and targeted support to the University of Edinburgh's research community across the research lifecycle, and particularly in the pursuit of funding.

They help develop research projects at any scale, from small awards to complex interdisciplinary bids. This includes horizon scanning, guidance on research funders, advice on targeting the right opportunities, identifying pathways to impact, developing the proposal, and dealing with contractual matters upon award.

They also provide resources for researchers and those supporting research, through linked University services and shared training.

Knowledge Exchange

Knowledge exchange (KE) is a process which brings together academic staff, users of research and wider groups and communities to exchange ideas, evidence and expertise.

The College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences has a dedicated Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, based in the Research Support Office. They can support researchers in identifying ways to enhance the impact of their projects and ensure that they engage stakeholders effectively.