Overview
This online course seeks to support qualitative researchers in dealing with the key concepts of positionality and reflexivity.
During the course attendees will explore the role of the researcher at the insider/outsider divide as well as experience and practise practical strategies and exercises to learn how to "do" reflexivity.
Meet your course lead
Dr Nicole Brown is Director of Social Research & Practice and Education Ltd and Associate Professor at University College London working on the cusp of research/practice/teaching.
Nicole’s creative and research work relate to representations of experiences, the generation of knowledge, and research methods and approaches to explore the same.
Her publications include Making the Most of Your Research Journal, Embodied Inquiry: Research Methods, Lived Experiences of Ableism in Academia: Strategies for Inclusion in Higher Education, and Ableism in Academia: Theorising Experiences of Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses in Higher Education. Her upcoming books are Photovoice Reimagined and Creativity in Education: International Perspectives.
You can read more about Nicole here and find her UCL profile here. Her social media handles are @ncjbrown and @AbleismAcademia
Further course details
Drawing on embodied and creative techniques we practise conscious noticing, we discuss our being, assumptions and beliefs and how they impact research.
We will further examine the use of a research journal in relation to doing reflexivity and exploring one's positionality. We will experiment with form and formats of recording journal entries, consider how to make choices of what to record when and trial strategies for recording information we may have missed. Finally, we will deal with the practicalities of moving from the personal, private practice of doing reflexivity to the formal, public statement of positionality that is often asked for in theses and publications.
In line with the pedagogical principles of social constructivism the course is delivered as a mixture of interactive group tasks, discussions and lectures to enable active and experiential learning.
Course aims
The aims of this interactive course are to provide insight into theoretical foundations and practical strategies to deal with reflexivity and positionality within qualitative research. By the end of the course delegates will…
- Have critical awareness of what reflexivity in qualitative research is and means
- Have practical knowledge and personal experience of practical methods and strategies to acknowledge and capture emotions and experiences
- Be equipped to capture thoughts and views and be mindful of their impact on research
- Have practical knowledge and personal experience of effective methods for research journaling
- Understand the aims and purposes of research journaling
- Have a critical awareness of the relationship between the what, why and how of journaling and sharing the entries
- Feel permitted to "experiment" and "try" in qualitative research
Who is likely to most benefit from attending this course?
PGR students, early-career researchers and academics undertaking qualitative research or supporting others undertaking qualitative research.
Any preparatory work or pre-requisites?
There are no particular prerequisites but attendees are asked to bring:
- Two unread articles/book chapters
- Their personal research journal (you will not be asked to share these but will need them to work through some tasks)
- A specific print or digital workbook, exercise book, notebook or journal to use throughout the course
Course timetable
This online course will run for two full days Tuesday 2nd July - Wednesday 3rd July (9.00-5pm UK time) with breaks. See below for an indicative timetable.
Costs
- Full price: £180
- PGR/reduced rate: £120
Book your place
Places should be booked through the Methods@Manchester e-store by clicking the button below (payment by card only).
Bursaries
We are pleased to be able to offer a limited number of bursaries for Summer School applicants eligible for reduced fees.
The main bursary scheme is limited to PGRs from the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership, but we also have a very limited number of bursaries for other applicants eligible for reduced fees who are facing exceptional circumstances.
Please see the main Summer School website (bottom of the page) for details of these bursaries and information about how to apply.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on methods@manchester.ac.uk
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