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31/01/25

Today we met as a group and discussed our next research steps. We have decided to split our research between the four of us and I am going to look in detail into the two main topics of deforestation and land grabbing. I will find literature and sources related to these topics and finite my final product or questions for the managers by next lecture.

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07/02/25

Today, we looked at existing ideas surrounding the cultivation of vegetables and the prolonged effect climate change has on harvests. I have linked above the methods we found however, they are very detailed and complex ideas, so next week, I will be looking to simplify the processes.

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- What is the challenge we are trying to solve
⁃ What our solution is ( rewilding )
⁃ How do we implement our solution
⁃ How is our solution/product different from the current market

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28/02/25

Today we embarked on our trip to Leckford Estate where we got a chance to ask the workers questions about soil degradation and water management in its fields. We have written notes on the answers given to us in our shared document and we are ready for the next stage of our analysis.

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GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES I HAVE BEEN ADAPTING AND USING THROUGHOUT THIS PROJECT:

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Research and Analytical Skills

Communication and Presentation skills

Global Awareness and Sustainability

Teamwork and Collaboration

Technological Proficiency

Ethical and Social Responsibility

Adaptability and Lifelong Learning

Leadership and Initiative

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After we had each compiled our 2 slides, we completed several run-throughs; however, with everyone having busy schedules, we didn't get through as many as I would have liked.

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24/03/25

After our last meeting on the 7th of march, i decided we should turn our poster back into a presentation, and the team agreed. This was because we all collectively felt a poster would be too wordy.

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The topic I focused on and researched was what is our solution. We had chosen rewilding, and I compiled my slides nicely with a few words and more speech. I did write a script for the centre, however, I had learnt most of it from memory, which then enabled me to hold eye contact with my assessors, which is important to do and shows strength in my ability to talk about the topic.

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Today we presented our solution of rewilding to Waitrose, Stewart and a GradCore employee. I felt all aspects of the centre went extremely well and I have learned a lot about me as a person and how I handle these situations. I felt the feedback we received from the assessors was extremely helpful and will improve my next and future assessment centres. The main negative feedback we received during our presentation was to include shorter sentences on our PowerPoint slides and improve the flow of our presentation which with a little bit more practice will improve. But overall the experience was a success.

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Week-By-Week Breakdown of how we made out project

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Week-By-Week Breakdown of how we made out project

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Week 1:
We began by forming our group and discussing potential topics linked to sustainable farming and environmental challenges. We decided to focus on soil health because it is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of sustainable agriculture. This decision is linked to the KU Graduate Attribute of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, as we identified a real-world environmental issue that needed innovative solutions.

Week 2:
Each group member conducted individual research into soil degradation issues such as compaction, acidification, over-fertilisation, and climate change impacts. We collaborated to refine our topic into a more specific focus: the role of organic matter and rewilding in restoring soil health. This stage demonstrated Digital Literacy, as we used online academic databases and government reports to gather credible sources.

Week 3:
We planned a visit to Lekford Estate, a working farm that incorporates sustainable practices. The purpose was to gain first-hand experience of soil management techniques and rewilding efforts in practice. Visiting the site aligned with Global and Cultural Awareness, as it allowed us to consider how local actions can contribute to global sustainability challenges.

Week 4:
The visit provided us with practical insights into challenges such as soil compaction and biodiversity loss. We observed how rewilding practices like reduced tillage, natural grazing, and organic matter restoration were implemented. This experience helped shape our solution of rewilding. It also strengthened our Adaptability and Resilience, as we needed to adjust our project ideas based on real-world observations.

Week 5:
After gathering research and fieldwork insights, we outlined the key sections of our PowerPoint:

What is the challenge we are trying to solve

What our solution is ( rewilding )

How do we implement our solution

How is our solution/product different from the current market

I assigned different sections to each team member, enhancing my Collaboration and Teamwork skills by ensuring clear roles and shared responsibility.

Week 6:
Each member prepared draft slides for their assigned section. We held group meetings to review the drafts, suggest improvements, and ensure consistency in tone, visuals, and messaging. This is when we decided that a PowerPoint was better suited to our topic and what message we were trying to get across. This reflected Effective Communication, as we needed to articulate complex scientific ideas in an accessible and persuasive way.

Week 7:
We finalised our references using Harvard referencing to support our work. This step demonstrated professionalism and integrity, ensuring that our work was maintained and that all sources were credited appropriately.

Week 8:
We refined the slide designs, improved clarity and flow, and practised delivering the presentation as a group; however, we didn't get much time to complete this. We incorporated feedback from practice runs to sharpen our key points and ensure timing was within limits. This process supported Self-awareness and Reflection, as we critically evaluated our own and each other’s contributions to improve performance.

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How i aim to improve myself on my year abroad next year.

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How i aim to improve myself on my year abroad next year.

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Collaboration
My feedback highlights that I am competent at defining my responsibilities and delivering on them within a team. To improve further during my year abroad, I can focus on deepening my collaboration skills by not just clarifying my role, but also helping to coordinate team dynamics and support others in achieving collective goals. Working with new international peers will give me a great opportunity to adapt to different communication styles and enhance my teamwork capabilities.

Self-awareness and Empathy
Being recognised for strong self-awareness and empathy is very encouraging. Studying abroad will expose me to diverse cultures and perspectives, which will be an ideal environment to further develop these skills. I will make a conscious effort to actively listen to others, adapt to new cultural expectations, and seek feedback regularly to continue growing both personally and professionally.

Enterprising
my passion and drive, were seen as key strengths. In a new country, I can build on this by seeking out internships, networking events, or student-led initiatives where I can apply my skills and present my unique value. Entering a different academic environment will challenge me to adapt my approach and push my enterprising spirit even further, making me stand out on an international level.

Questioning Mindset
Having a strong questioning mindset was highlighted as a real strength. During my year abroad, I plan to continue asking thoughtful questions not just in academic settings, but also in new social and cultural environments. This curiosity will help me maximise the learning opportunities available and show genuine engagement with different ways of thinking.

Digital Literacy
While I demonstrated competence in using digital tools, the feedback suggests that I could strengthen my approach by finding ways to measure the impact of my digital choices. During my year abroad, I will aim to track and evaluate how different digital platforms or tools contribute to my projects. This will not only improve my project outcomes but also enhance my ability to present measurable results, a crucial skill for future academic and career opportunities.