The Research Paper course provides students in the final semester of the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership (MCCL) with the opportunity to produce an analytical, critical and reflective 6,000 to 8,000 word scholarly research paper on an approved topic of their choice. The topics students choose to investigate are expected to relate to the disciplinary area of curatorial practice and cultural leadership.

This course utilises both self and peer review with the aim of developing students' skills for providing well-considered constructive criticism. It aims to extend the students' ability to work collaboratively in groups while reflecting on their future profession as curators and cultural leaders. Students' research papers may draw directly on experiences gained during their internship placement, however the research paper must be treated as an independent project.

Students enrol in the research paper course in the last semester of their Masters degree, and need to have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70.