MScRes Relational Design

at Bangor University

Research Areas

Relational Design: Wellness within a Regional Context (Adventure, Tourism, Education)

 

Structure

The year is divided into four phases. There will be some overlap between these, but the formal waypoints below are designed to ensure that you cover all necessary elements. The timing and outputs of the programme align with a Tier I visa application, should there be a need for sponsorship for an international student to remain in the region, post-graduation

 

1. Discover (September-December)

As you immerse yourself in the region, and connect to people and place, a series of short, intensive design exercises, with coaching, will acquaint you with tools and methods to be used later on. We will introduce you to our FabLab (woodwork, digital composite 3D printing, laser cutting and other advanced manufacturing equipment) and explain the creative group processes used in our CoWorking space. Through an Enterprise by Design exercise, involving undergraduate students, local actors, stakeholders and other researchers, you will practice how to design a group decision support process, and lead a multidisciplinary team, within a multi-stakeholder project.

 

2. Define (January-February)

Relational design is about making connections between social, natural and cultural assets, and building the cooperation platforms by which they can work together. In January, you will prepare a first version of your project proposal; this is presented at a formal Project Proposal Crit at the end of the month. With feedback from that Crit, you will further develop and refine your project proposal in February

 

3. Develop and Deliver (March-June)

Prepare your Business Proposal, Exhibition, and Public Presentation.

 

4. Reflection and Future Planning (July-August)

After the Viva, and the Exhibition and Public Presentation, we have allocated two months for you first, to reflect on what you have learned so far; and second,  plan the actions needed to implement your project, locally or back home. Our team will be available to provide feedback and mentoring throughout this final phase.

 

Content

The Masters in Relational Design is a research-based degree. Your research topic might be an existing project idea – perhaps inspired by an industry, government or anchor institution from your own territory – or you may define a research topic once you arrive in Bangor. The sections below outline first, our three focus areas, with examples to trigger your own thinking; and second, the four phases of the year-long course are explained in detail.

 

Adventure

The spectacular natural assets of North Wales, and its network of dynamic small firms, can be the basis of innovations in a wide variety of adventure and sport activities: climbing, running, diving, kayaking, camping, mountain biking, tree climbing, zip-wiring, and more. Research partners might include global wellness brands, app developers, or public health initiatives such as the UK’s Active Forestry programme.

 

Tourism

Active travel, learning journeys, and biodiversity tourism, are fast-growing segment in this huge global industry. Health-conscious city people are looking for soil-to-table relationships through such models as social farming, Wwoofing, Workaway, and Fibersheds. River, forest and ecosystem restoration camps are growing in popularity. In the Smart Villages movement, heritage buildings are being restored as Coworking/Coliving (CoWoLi) sites. Other legacy buildings – community colleges, chapels, pubs, libraries, regional museums, hostels, post offices, local shops – can also become networked rural hubs for visitor activities that create new livelihoods for local citizens; AirBNB Experiences is a good example.

 

Education

North Wales is an alternative learning destination in its own right. Its schools and environment centres are looking for new ways to engage with new publics – from citizen science and artist residencies, to maker centres, land-based learning, and coding in the countryside.There is scope for theme-based learning journeys, too, such as the Fermentation Routes being developed in Latvia, Slovenia’s popular Honey Routes, or the Deep Time Walk app at Schumacher College in Devon. Wales’ new ecomuseum, Ecoamgueddfa, is another inspiring model to build on. Learning how to combine practical skills with new business creation is another opportunity; in Sicily, for example, citrus farmers and citizen apprentices are using biorefining as the basis of new health and nutrition products.

We invite applications from mid-career professionals or graduates of architecture, design, engineering and business; applicants with other backgrounds, such as ecology, or geography, are also welcome. All applicants are judged on their individual merits, plus work or business experience.

We have many years’ experience of making offers of entry based on qualifications awarded worldwide and we welcome applications from international students. Entry will require a qualification deemed to be equivalent in level to the UK bachelor degree. International applicants are normally required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. The minimum English language requirements will normally be:

• IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each individual component score

• Pearson PTE: a score of 62 (with no element lower than 58)

• Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 176 (with no element lower than 169)

Tuition Fee Per Year

• Home and EU: £10, 200

• *International: £19, 600*

Career Opportunities

Within this dynamic landscape of opportunities, the Masters in Relational Design course is for those who wish to:

• develop an existing project idea – perhaps in collaboration with an industry, government or anchor institution from your own territory;

• find employment in the public or private sectors in one of the sectors listed above – for example with a global wellness, travel, or hospitality brand;
  start a new enterprise;

• work in regional development or innovation policy, or in the research economy.

 

The Pontio Masters equips students with practical skills in design, prototyping, and pilots of new products and services, and business model innovation. It is process oriented, and applies agile and iterative product and service design methods.

As well as finding specific employment based on the specialist knowledge acquired during your research, your general employability will be enhanced by evidence of your ability to work independently, to think analytically and innovatively, and to conceptualise and question.

During your studies, you will also have the chance to develop essential professional skills such as good communication, teamwork and leadership skills and enhance your practical experience.