Abertay 25: Dundee’s Changemakers –
Our contribution to Technology and Industry
Volunteer Facilitator role description
The Project
Abertay University is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To mark this occasion, we're undertaking a National Lottery Heritage funded two-year community project exploring the 25-year history and over 130 years of achievements by the university, the Dundee Institute of Technology and the Dundee Technical Institute. We will be digging deep to uncover the stories of 25 change makers and innovations dating back to the establishment of the Dundee Technical Institute in 1888.
As a Volunteer Facilitator you will gather information on these innovations and innovators. You will share these stories and research skills with young people from secondary schools and community groups – these young people will be called ‘Young Ambassadors’. The stories developed from your research will be presented to the public in a number of ways including public talks, exhibitions, school resource packs and more.
This is an exciting opportunity to explore the history of a much loved institution that has played a key role in the educational, technological, and economic history of Dundee. As a facilitator you'll uncover a new side of the history of Dundee through unique access to an archive that has yet to be explored and share that history with a wide public audience.
Role Description
The Facilitator is a voluntary role assisting the Archivist and Public Engagement Officer in the preparatory work for the project; including researching Abertay University archives and other local collections. Facilitators will undergo training and work alongside teachers to train and mentor the Young Ambassadors so that they can undertake their role, and to ensure that we engage a wide range of people. This will take place over 3 short workshops September – December.
Facilitators will be assigned either to a school or to a group of Young Carers with support from teachers, the Archivist and Public Engagement Officer. Their main involvement will take place between June 2019 and January 2020.
Timescale: June – December 2019
· Wednesday 17th July: Orientation event 10am-3pm (lunch provided)
· July – August: Research to take place at Abertay University, half a day once a week, Tuesdays – Thursdays
· September: Assist school group at initial training session at Abertay University (Date TBC)
· September – December: Support Young Ambassadors by supporting teachers to conduct 3 Enquiry Learning Workshops (approx. 1 hour each)
FAQs
How much time will I need to commit to research?
The research phase of the project will take place over summer 2019. We will offer access to Abertay archives that link to the stories you’re working on for half a day, once a week on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, throughout July and August. This research will take place at the University but you are welcome to continue your own research elsewhere at any other time during the summer.
When and how will I work with Secondary School Students?
The schools will be involved from September and our Facilitators will work with teachers to assist students with their own research during 3 x 1.5 hour workshops September – December. The students’ main contact for assistance outwith these workshops will be the Public Engagement Officer and University Archivist.
What support and training will be offered?
The University Archivist and Public Engagement Officer will be available throughout the project to assist with anything during your time as Volunteer Facilitator.
We will provide training on the Enquiry Learning approach at the Orientation event so you are fully equipped to contribute to sessions later in the year with your group.
We will provide training on referencing your sources so the material is accessible for the young Ambassadors and any future researchers.
Teachers will be present to support you during the sessions in schools.
We will be available during the research days at the University to discuss your research and any other queries you have. Alternatively, we are always available via phone or email if you would like to chat at any point.
What if I want to continue volunteering with the project in 2020?
There is plenty more to get stuck into with this project, from continued mentoring of school groups, oral history workshops, exhibitions, talks and events. We would gladly welcome any continued volunteering.
If you are interested in being a Facilitator, please fill in this application form.
If you would like any further information, or to have an informal discussion about the project and role of Facilitator, please contact me on: Tel: 01382 30 8545
Email: h.busak@abertay.ac.uk
Posted on 3rd Jul 2019
Last modified by API