UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This service learning unit provides students with the opportunity to participate in a research internship program through the West Australian Parliament. The program is a cooperative arrangement between the Western Australian Parliament and the State universities through which students undertake the research of topics nominated by Members of Parliament. Students will undertake projects that are of benefit to West Australia and that build on their knowledge and skills from a wide range of disciplines. The program is restricted to excellent students, from third year and who may be majoring in any discipline. Excellent UWA students are put forward to the WA Parliament using a selection process that may include consideration of a written expression of interest, interview, academic standing, topic selection, and consideration of the programme guidelines.

Students selected by the WA Parliamentary Research Programme will participate by assuming the role of a research assistant under the guidance of a Member of Parliament. As this is a research-focused project, nominated students must have the required skills, academic standing and self-motivation to successfully complete the research program. Further guidance and support throughout the program is provided through the academic supervisor and through staff in the Parliamentary Education Office. Final projects are lodged with the West Australian Parliamentary Library.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) deliver a report based on independent research and critical/descriptive analysis on a policy-relevant topic as issued by the Parliamentary Education Office; (2) develop and enhance communication skills – written, visual and oral.; (3) develop and enhance understanding of the role of research in policy-making/political processes; and (4) demonstrate an ability to contribute to policy discussion/debate.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) presentation; (2) poster; and (3) report. Further information is available in the unit outline.

This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Kelly Gerard

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Acceptance into the WA Parliamentary Research Program
and Successful completion of

48 points

and Enrolment in

72560 Master of Urban and Regional Planning
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 42580 Master of Public Policy
or permission from the unit coordinator

Incompatibility

PARL3399 WA Parliamentary Research Program

Advisable prior study

Successful completion of

research methods
or project units

Approved quota: 10—students are required to confirm that they have space in their course of study before submitting an expression of interest to apply for this unit. Eligible candidates will then be shortlisted and interviewed to determine both their aptitude and commitment to service learning and to act as ambassadors of UWA in an external internship. Successful students must also comply with the selection criteria and topic allocation processes run by the WA Parliament Education Office to be offered an internship.

Contact hours

150 hours of study

Note

Please note that the WA Parliamentary Research Program may not be offered by the WA government every year, and placements available to UWA students may be limited. Students are encouraged to contact the unit coordinator to confirm the program's availability.

Acceptance into the WA Parliamentary Research Program is also subject to School placement via an EOI process prior to enrolment, and prior approval of students' study plans.