This course complements the Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Teams (SMART) Program and is only open to students participating in the SMART Program. This course offers students unique research and strategy development opportunities with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), non-profit organizations, public agencies, and other disadvantaged communities in emerging markets. To achieve this, the course is divided into two parts: stakeholder engagement and field research, which takes place during the winter intermission (students travel to the field for data collection and client engagement) and in-class instruction and project development, which takes place during the spring semester. In this second phase, students analyze and report their collected field data through the development of case studies, policy briefs, technical reports, and research papers.

Outcome 1
Increased understanding of the role private-public partnerships play in the promotion of economic development.

Outcome 2
Improved problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and other soft skills development.

Outcome 3
Increased appreciation of the unique role multidisciplinary teams play in solving complex socioeconomic problems.

Outcome 4
Produce peer-reviewed publications (e.g., case studies, policy briefs, technical reports, and research papers) that can be adopted by the community partner and in classroom settings.