MSc mixer and student projects

We are inviting you to partner with the University of Edinburgh on an MSc research project delivered in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes (CSFL).      

We welcome proposals from companies, NGOs, charities, and government departments with interests in any aspect of land system science, management, and/or policy. 

Projects can come from across physical and social sciences, including but not limited to: ecological and social science data analysis; remote sensing and GIS analysis (*see below); quantitative and qualitative surveys; evidence synthesis and reviews; policy analysis; and feasibility studies.   

If you were offered a project last year that wasn't taken up, please feel free to offer it again as the interests of our student cohort changes year-on-year.

How it works

1. Submit a proposal using our online form via the button below

2. We review suitability and if accepted, we share the opportunity with our MSc students. We will work with you to select the most suitable student and identify a University of Edinburgh academic supervisor

3. We facilitate an inception meeting between the student and member(s) of your organisation to scope the project, which typically run from April to August

4. The student completes their academic dissertation, but can also develop a tailored output for the partner, e.g. a policy brief, summary, or presentation

What are the benefits of partnering?

• You will receive fresh insights from our talented and enthusiastic MSc students supported by academic staff
• A unique opportunity to develop bespoke projects aligned with your organisation’s priorities
• You can start to build longer-term collaborations with the University
• No financial contribution required

Your commitment

• Three to four check-ins during April–August
• Provision of relevant data and/or contacts as needed
• Co-supervision alongside the University supervisor

We will host a mixer event on Wednesday 27 January 2027 during which time you will have the opportunity to discuss your idea(s) with our student and staff cohort.  

Some of our MSc students will get the chance to present their projects at the Edinburgh Forests and Landscapes Network (EFLN) event in September 2027. 

*Please note projects with a substantial remote sensing or GIS component will be advertised to students in November to give students sufficient time to source data/ study sites, and plan additional data collection.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr Iain McNicol (i.mcnicol@ed.ac.uk), Programme Manager for the Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes.