MPhil in Environment, Society & Development

Course Structure

The course has five elements: one core course, one associated seminar programme, one research skills component, two option papers, and a 10,000 word dissertation. The overall aim of the course is to integrate a general understanding of key issues with the opportunity to specialise and develop specific knowledge and skills in areas of mutual interest to staff and students. There is an active research community in the Department of Geography in fields closely relevant to the course, especially the Society, Environment and Development research cluster.

Core Course: this will be taught over 16 lectures in the Michaelmas (first) and Lent (second) terms. The core course will be delivered in lecture format and available to students from other Masters programmes in the Department and the University.
Seminar Programme: this will be a weekly discussion session open to ESD students only, and will be associated with the core lecture programme.
Research training: this will be taught through the University's Joint Schools Social Sciences programme. Students will work with their supervisors to choose appropriate skills sessions.
Option Papers: Students can choose two papers from a range available. Subject to availability these will come from Gender Studies, Conservation Leadership, Environmental Science, Development Studies, Land Economy, Engineering for Sustainable Development, African Studies, South Asian Studies, Latin American Studies. Alternatively, one of the option courses may be substituted for an approved course of guided reading.
Dissertation on a topic chosen by the student. This is the student's independent work with advice from a supervisor. The dissertation must be submitted by June. The maximum length is 10,000 words.

Who teaches on the course, and who supervises theses?

In recent years the following have contributed to the M.Phil. (Note: not all staff contribute in any one year)

William M Adams, Moran Professor of Conservation and Development and the Co-Director of the Society, Environment and Development research cluster
Tim Bayliss-Smith, Reader in Pacific Geography
Michael Bravo, University Senior Lecturer in Scott Polar Research Institute
Gemma Burgess, Research Associate, Department of Land Economy
Robert Doubleday, Post-doctural Researcher, Department of Geography
Emma Mawdsley, University Lecturer
Susan E. Owens, Professor of Environment and Policy, and Co-Director of the Society, Environment and Development research cluster
Sarah A. Radcliffe, Reader in Latin American Geography
Ivan Scales, College Lecturer, St Catharine's College
Robert Small, Research Associate, Department of Geography
Bhaskar Vira, University Senior Lecturer
Piers Vitebsky, Scott Polar Research Institute
Elizabeth E. Watson, University Lecturer

Practice essays

Student development has to be rapid, and progress in the first term is monitored through the submission of two practice essays. Feedback is provided and is designed to help students with the assessed essays they will submit later in the year for the core paper and chosen options, as well as helping with the dissertation.

Supervisions

Each student is assigned a personal supervisor. The supervisor's main role is to assist in the choice of dissertation topic, and to help the student prepare for and undertake research for his or her dissertation.