Undergraduate Course: Innovation in Sustainable Agri-food systems (VETS10026)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will introduce students to theories of innovation; how research becomes adopted in practice, in a range of different circumstances. The course challenges the linear model of innovation where basic research smoothly flows into applied research, then into development and finally into products that are adopted in the market place. The reality is usually much more complex. |
| Course description |
It is observed that innovative ideas often fail to be adopted in practice. This course seeks to explore theories and perspectives on innovation and why this failure occurs. Using these theories and perspectives, students will achieve a deeper appreciation of the roles of multiple stakeholders in innovation, the value of different forms of knowledge, the importance of social networks in innovation and the way in which change has been achieved in socio-technical systems.
Topics to be dealt with include behavioural change theories, farming cultures, Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory, Communities of Practice, the Farmer Field School model, Agricultural Innovation Systems and Multi-Level Perspectives.
The course will provide basic training on qualitative research methods and the conduct of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Recognise different disciplinary and sectoral norms and the challenges these pose to trans-disciplinary working;
- Critically analyse new opportunities for innovation in a specific context, using innovation systems thinking;
- Examine the complexity surrounding public concern of food production, land use practices and wider consequences of agriculture.
|
Reading List
Heffernan, C., Thomson, K. & Nielsen, L. (2008) Livestock vaccine adoption among poor farmers in Bolivia: Remembering innovation diffusion theory. Vaccine 26:2433-2442.
Van den Berg, H., Jiggins, J. (2007) Investing in farmers: the impacts of farmer field schools in relation to integrated pest management. World Dev. 35.
Blay-Palmer, A., Landman, K., Knezevic, I. & Hayhurst, R. (2013) Constructing resilient, transformative communities through sustainable "food hubs". Local Environment. The International Journal of Justice & Sustainability 18(5):521-528.
Smith, A. (2006) Green niches in sustainable development: the case of organic food in the United Kingdom. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 24:439-358.
Triomphe, B. & Rajalahti, R. (2013) From concept to emerging practice: what does an innovation system perspective bring to agricultural and rural development? In Renewing innovation systems in agriculture and food, Coudel, E., Devautour, H., Soulard, C. T. & Hubert, G. F. (eds) Chapter 3.
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Critical thinking, evaluating information through; identifying assumptions, detecting false logic or reasoning and defining terms accurately in order to make an informed judgement - though preparation of an annotated bibliography, leading to writing a final report.
Planning, organising, time management, in planning and delivering the final essay.
Written communication, ability to produce clear, structured written work that effectively explains information - through the course assignments
|
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ann Bruce
Tel: (0131 6)50 9106
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Gordon Littlejohn
Tel: (0131 6)51 7454
Email: |
|
|
University Homepage