RIT Bid Document

Application for funding under the
Research Informed Teaching initiative

Originator’s name
Denis Edgar-Nevill
Department
Computing
Title or Descriptor for development
Cybercrime Education Informed by Research in a New Fast-Changing Discipline
Brief synopsis of existing research and departmental practice in RIT
The department has a small research base with four individuals with significant research publication experience. All staff inform their teaching through scholarly activity and Knowledge Transfer activities; three of whom additionally publications on pedagogy.
Description of the proposed development
This development will study how research has informed the studies of students on the MSc Cybercrime Forensics and how this new area is being defined and developed by staff in the Department of Computing through the following activities:
(a) Developing a research network in Cybercrime Forensic including universities, police training CENTREX and the National High Tech Crime Training Unit at Wyboston and commercial security companies such as 7Safe Ltd promoting an annual international conference, developing an integrated website, virtual forums & streamed lectures using e-learning technology. The many of these operations already have memorandums of agreement for future work with the Department of Computing.
(b) One-to-one interviews with MSc students on the use of research informed teaching during the taught components of their programme and how this has influenced and developed their own research development; the study to form the basis for publication
(c) Interviews with prominent researchers in the field in the UK; the study to form the basis for evolving the design of the MSc Cybercrime Forensics and building the new BSc Forensic Computing degree and for associated publications.
(d) Open research seminars for students and staff with invited academics from other universities, police officers and security industry speakers.
(e) MSc students attending and, if possible, present a research paper at the 1st International Cybercrime Education and Training Conference, 6-7th September 2007 being hosted by the Department
(f) Members of the Department of Computing attending and present a research papers at the 1st International Cybercrime Education and Training Conference, 6-7th September 2007
(g) Staff Delivering research papers in the area of Cybercrime forensics and papers on the research informed teaching pedagogy in this area (e.g. Denis Edgar-Nevill and Paul Stephens have submitted an abstract "Developing Cybercrime Forensics: The Growing Pains of a New Discipline" for the 3rd International Conference on Computer Science & Information Systems, JULY 23-24, 2007, Athens, Greece).
(h) The above will form the basis for further bids to external funding sources with the eventual goal of building a critical mass of sustained activity in this area forming a research centre.
Which RIT objectives will this development address?
1. To ensure that all students receive a higher education informed by research
this objective is furthered particularly (b), (d), (e) above
2. To enhance teaching and learning through engagement with pedagogic research in all disciplines
this objective is furthered particularly (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) above
3. To enhance the employability of graduates through engagement in research-based activities and experiences
this objective is furthered particularly (b), (d), (e) above
4. To enhance the research profile of academic departments
this objective is furthered particularly (a), (c), (d), (f), (g), (h) above
Duration of funded development (indicate continuation strategy)
January 2007-July 2007
Phase 1 – Current RIT in Cybercrime Forensics. The intention is to gather information from our MSc students (all of whom are professional practitioners) to assess their development of research skills within the subject and to consider how staff associated with the MSc programme are developing their RIT practice (activities (b) & (c) above).
Phase 2 – Raising the RIT Profile. In parallel with phase 1 (activities (d) & (g) above).
Phase 3 – Dissemination – Publication of results of initial findings
September 2007-July 2008
Phase 4 – Cybercrime Education & Training Conference. Already in preparation, this conference will be the vehicle for publication by staff and students and networking to develop future work (activities (a), (e), (f) & (g) above).
Phase 5 – Continued study and evolution of RIT Studying the changes implemented in the MSc using the 2nd cohort and beginning to evaluate RIT used in the new undergraduate programme (activities (b), (c) & (d) above).
Phase 6 – Dissemination and Bidding. Dissemination of results through publication and in developing bids for external research funding. Longer-term development will be addressed, (activities (a)& (h) above)
Continuation Strategy Important to continue this development are the activities identified above which have longer-term aspirations such as (a), (d), (g) & (h).
How will the proposed development enhance learning and teaching?
1. Ensure students benefit from RIT with a wider input from external experts
2. Promotion of the concept and practice of RIT in the Department, Faculty, University
3. Increases research and RIT pedagogic publications
4. Developing e-learning infrastructure for RIT in (particular virtual forums)
Which programmes will be improved as a consequence? (Or which students will benefit?)
· MSc Cybercrime Forensics (December 2005 cohort & December 2006 cohort)
· BSc Forensic Computing (September 2007 cohort)
List the staff involved (indicate the % of departmental staff this represents)
Research team promoting RIT (20% of staff in the Department)
Denis Edgar-Nevill, Dr Abhaya Induruwa , Paul Stephens
RIT Developments with Cybercrime Forensics Teaching team (70% of staff)
Dr Man Qi, Dr David Lewis, Dr David Bennett, Brian Brighouse, Mike Baker, Maria Shaw
What funding will be required? How will this funding be used?
January 2007-July 2007 (£8000)
Staff/guest speaker travel - £4000 Conference Fees £2000
ICT Hardware/software (virtual forums) - £2000
September 2007-July 2008(£10000)
Teaching Relief - £2000 Staff/guest speaker travel - £4000 Conference Fees - £2000
ICT Hardware/software - £2000