Dr Simidele Dosekun will convene the teaching and organisation of this course, and will oversee allocation of dissertation supervisors (one per student).

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Global Media and Communications (LSE and Fudan), MSc in Global Media and Communications (LSE and UCT), MSc in Global Media and Communications (LSE and USC), MSc in Media and Communications, MSc in Media and Communications (Data and Society), MSc in Media and Communications (Media and Communications Governance), MSc in Media and Communications (Research), MSc in Media, Communication and Development, MSc in Politics and Communication and MSc in Strategic Communications and Society. This course is not available as an outside option.

The aim of this dissertation is for students to pursue an independent piece of research within the field of media and communications following the guidelines provided in the Department's dissertation guide and the instructions of academic staff. The dissertation is usually a combination of theoretical enquiry and original empirical enquiry concerning an issue in the field of media and communications. On rare occasions it is based on a theoretical interrogation. Students are encouraged to select a topic that reflects the content of their MSc programme. In all cases, students must obtain the approval of their dissertation supervisor before embarking on any research.

This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and one-to-one supervision sessions.

Dissertation supervisors will be allocated at the end of AT, with one-to-one supervision sessions taking place in WT and ST. 

Students are required to submit an ethics review, literature review and dissertation plan to their dissertation supervisor.

As the dissertation is an independent project, students will curate their own reading list based on their research interests, with guidance from their dissertation supervisor and other academic staff. Practical strategies for dissertation development and writing will also be provided throughout the course.

Dissertation (100%, 12000 words) in August.

The dissertation must be no less than 10,000 words and no more than 12,000 words in length.