The integration of practical experiences into university curricular became a standard across various disciplines and study programs. However, there is often still a gap between theory and the training of analytical skills on the one hand and practical experiences, which students gain at workplaces and in internships, on the other. Peace, conflict and security studies (PCS) are no exception in this respect, although scholars and employers have stressed the necessity for a closer integration of theory and practice in particular for programs which aim to qualify for a career in the field of peacebuilding, foreign and security policy or conflict resolution. The project “Integration of Work-Based Learning in Conflict, Peace and Security Studies” (IN-COPS) will develop a more comprehensive and systematic approach to overcome still existing limitations. It will develop and apply a tailored concept of the Work Based Learning (WBL) approach to systematically integrate theory and practice in university teaching and curriculum development with a particular focus on the role of internships and voluntary work. WBL is an education strategy which aims to merge theory and practice and brings together different stakeholders such as teachers, students and and professional organisations. Through the embeddedness of WBL experiences, students have the possibility to deepen their understanding of complex contexts, work related capabilities and critical self-reflection. Bringing students practical experiences to the classroom means an increase in educational resources, hence, gains in new impressions, critical questions, networks, new innovative ideas and the capability to critically reflect on the applicability of learned theories, methods and concepts. IN-COPS brings together six highly experienced universities in the field of PCS with complementary strengths in different aspects of practical skill development from an academic side and furthermore: University of Marburg (Germany), Babes-Bolyai University (Romania), University of Coimbra (Portugal), University of Kent, University of Coventry (both UK) and the University of Utrecht (Netherlands). This consortium, which already has a legacy in cooperation, will be supported by ten experienced non-academic partners which range from grassroots level to state level and international partners, such as the Berghof Foundation, Forum ZFD, Seeds for Peace, and Clingendael Institute among others. IN-COPS will explore and systematically map existing attempts to integrate practical skill development in existing curricula of higher education institutions in Europe. IN-COPS will develop practical toolkits to systematically reflect on the potentials of the inclusion of practical experiences and to integrate practical skill development in existing PCS curricula as service learning. Furthermore, concrete modules will be delivered to explore innovative approaches for the tools and models. The ultimate aim is to make the knowledge gained accessible for different target groups: Internship institutions, students, and university faculty and staff will be addressed in order to reflect upon new strategies of integrating applied experiences. Furthermore, the project intends to make the project’s experiences available for other disciplines and to develop a coherent understanding of the importance of an academia-practice-dialogue. Based one a desk study on WBL practices and on a survey on how WBL is already implemented in PCS in Europe and beyond, IN-COPS will develop WBL tools for two focus areas: internships and voluntary work. These tools will be applied and, based on the evidence we gain from that, further developed into clear and focused policy recommendations for different stakeholders. This includes guidelines for ethical and security issues, which often challenges students working in conflict prone countries, as well as a special emphasis on inclusion and on digital methods which in particular can be used for addressing challenges for students with special needs. IN-COPS will develop a conceptual approach as well as practical tools and evidence based recommendations to fully exploit the potential of practical experiences in teaching and to bridge the still existing theory-practice-gap in academic PCS programs. As these recommendations will be implemented in the participating universities IN-COPS will have a direct positive effect on the quality of PCS programs. Furthermore, through the dissemination of our results we seek to initiative a solution oriented drive for a closer linkage of theory and practice in PCS programs across Europe. Finally, we believe that our policy recommendations might help not only for PCS, but serve as a model for other academic study programs. The overall aim is to get better trained students who will contribute professionally to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Europe and worldwide.
The primary objectives of the INCOPS project were to achieve several key outcomes. Firstly, the project sought to provide an overview of existing practices related to the integration of Work-based Learning (WBL) into Peace, Conflict & Security Studies (PCS). By fostering strong collaboration and involving academic partners throughout the project, INCOPS aimed to generate in-depth knowledge about processes, teaching practices, and the administration of academic programs. Additionally, the project aimed to foster mutual understanding among different stakeholders in WBL, gaining deeper insights into their expectations, experiences, and needs. INCOPS also aspired to develop a nuanced understanding of WBL tailored to the specific needs and requirements of PCS. To support these objectives, the project intended to create educational materials, tools, and guidelines to train, guide, and support various target groups both during and after the project. Lastly, INCOPS aimed to disseminate its findings and engage with various audiences through multiplier events, publications, and policy briefs, providing comprehensive information about the strengths and potential of WBL for study programs while presenting recommendations and practical tools.
We applied for INCOPS to address pressing needs in the field of Peace, Conflict & Security Studies (PCS) both in the EU and globally. Our primary goal was to enhance students' employability by recognizing the significance of Work-based Learning (WBL) in preparing them for the job market. We aimed to actively engage in cooperative efforts facilitated by INCOPS, optimizing WBL models and aligning academic objectives with workplace demands to bridge the gap between education and employer requirements. Recognizing the demand for highly skilled PCS graduates, we worked within INCOPS to develop strategies that would help meet this demand effectively. Moreover, we recognized the enriching impact of WBL on the academic experience, offering practical knowledge for research and teaching, ultimately enhancing PCS education for students. In addition, INCOPS provided the opportunity to build knowledge alliances and foster student mobility. We contributed to this effort by creating networks and international opportunities for students, aiming to enrich their educational experience and expand their horizons.