AGRIBUS 7060 - Innovation Systems and Policy Transformation

North Terrace Campus - Trimester 3 - 2022

AGRIBUS 7060 is an elective course open to all graduate students who aspire to make a difference. Taught from a climate, environment and agri-food policy perspective, the course provides hands-on practical guidance and experience in driving innovation and successfully transforming policy where ever you work. Students can expect to discover new ways to define critical issues, shape narratives, identify innovative solutions and marshal support for transformational change. The course will give students the skills necessary to influence thinking at the industry, community and government level. Specifically, students will learn how to work in teams, map a sectoral system of innovation, identify opportunity spaces and develop innovation pathways, craft a policy proposal, engage potential partners, catalyse support, defend against high-jack techniques and, generally ensure that the benefits of a policy proposed change are realised and endure. The course will give students the skills necessary to influence both industry and governmental policies. It's interactive and highly engaging. Expect to learn how to make a difference.

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Course Details

Course Code	AGRIBUS 7060
Course	Innovation Systems and Policy Transformation
Coordinating Unit	Centre for Global Food & Resources
Term	Trimester 3
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Taught as an intensive
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	An understanding of basic business principles is assumed. An understanding of the role of incentives in influencing behaviour; the role of innovation in driving development; and ways to assess economic efficiency and equity is desirable.
Assessment	Assignment, group work, engagement

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Alec Zuo

Name:	Professor Mike Young
Role:	Course Coordinator
Email:	mike.young@adelaide.edu.au
Location:	Nexus 10 - Level 6
Phone:	8313 5279

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

The emphasis of this course is on application.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Map and analyse the elements of a sectoral system of innovation using the agri-food sector as a case example.

2. Identify potential opportunities for innovation along the value chain and in government policy.

3. Design an approach to developing an industry or government policy with the potential to transform the sector either directly or indirectly by influencing access to natural resources like water.

4. Productively contribute to the development and implementation of a policy reform.

5. Exhibit expertise in policy development processes.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	5
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1,2,3
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	4,5
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	2,3,4,5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	4
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	4,5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Schrempf, Benjamin, Kaplan, David and Schroeder, Doris (2013) National, Regional, and Sectoral Systems of Innovation – An overview, Report for FP7 Project “progress”, progressproject.eu.

Recommended Resources

To be provided within the course.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course will combine lecture and group discussion with structured small group workshops applying analytical tools to complex problems and designing approaches to potential transformational policy initiatives.

Students will be expected to actively participate in class discussions and within their small group team. They will be encouraged to challenge their assumptions and contribute to team recommendations.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Students will be expected to attend all six days of classes offered as a three-week intensive experience.

In addition to the class time, students will be expected to work individually and within a small group to compare innovation system models, analyse options for stimulating innovation within an industry or environmental management sector, and source supporting evidence for their recommendations. Significant effort will be required to prepare the final case study and recommendations for policy development with transformational potential.

Learning Activities Summary

Week 1 – Systems of Innovation Pre-reading required	Day 1 – : Introduction to systems of innovation Overview and expectations of the course Innovation as a driver of economic development Discussion: systems of innovation Study team workshop: Analysis of Case example Discussion of case and learning Written assignment: Analysis of potential SSI strengths & weaknesses applied to sector of choice
	Day 2 – : Application of sectoral system of innovation (SSI) model and ‘Insights to Innovation’ process Discussion: Learning from written assignment Collaborative opportunities: incentives and barriers Study team assignment: Apply ‘Insights to Innovation’ process to selected sector Introduction to system evolution & transformation – Values, policy principles & objectives Written assignment: Analysis of SSI impact on selected ‘pathway to innovation’
Week 2 – Industry & Government policy development Pre-reading required	Day 3 – : Policy design – critical to SSI development Study team presentations & feedback Robust policy design Government policy in industry innovation Government policy in social & environmental innovation Assignment: Preparation for policy case analyses
	Day 4 –: Policy transformation process: listening to stakeholders Government policy in environmental & natural resource management Critical factors in policy transformation: consultation processes & communication Study team workshop: case study selection & development Critical factors in policy transformation: reform sequencing Assignment: Case study preparation
Week 3 – Policy transformation case study preparations & presentations	Day 5 – : Critical factors in policy transformation Policy entrepreneurship Study team presentations & feedback Implementation Anticipating ‘unintended consequences’ Ensuring long-term success Assignment: Final development of case studies
	Day 6 – : Putting it all together Critical factors in instrument mixing & changing the system Study team presentations: Final case study & feedback Summary guidelines for success Peer & course review and feedback

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Application of SSI model to industry sector	Individual	20%	1
Analysis of policy implications of innovation pathway	Individual	30%	2,3,5
Group case study recommendations	Collaborative	30%	2,3,5
Quality of class participation	Individual	10%	4
Quality of work group contribution	Individual	10%	4
Total		100%

Assessment Detail

Assessment will be split into three parts:

1) Individual knowledge of the subject.

2) Individual contributions to class workshops, discussions, etc.

3) The quality of each group study and the progress the group makes during each stage of study development.

Submission

Assignments must be submitted in:

1. Softcopy through Turnitin on MyUni

Your assignment MUST include the GF assignment cover sheet which can be downloaded from MyUni under “Assignments”. Each page must be numbered with your student ID and name.

All assignments must be presented professionally with clear headings, appropriate referencing and using one and a half spacing.

Extensions will only be granted if requests are received in writing to the course coordinator at least 24 hours before the final due date unless they are requested on medical or compassionate grounds and are supported by appropriate documents.

Please contact the course coordinator, preferably by email, at any time to make an appointment for assistance or guidance in relation to course work, assignments or any concerns that may arise. Assignments will normally be returned two weeks after they have been submitted.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator