Workshop Sessions Two
Lost and Found in Translation? A Workshop on the Ethics and Methodologies of Qualitative and Interview-Based Research Carried Out In and Across Different Languages
This workshop aims to explore a range of questions and aspects that can arise during research including:
- How to collate and transcribe interviews carried out in language/formats other than written English
- What if any, AI tools are appropriate to use to speed up the transcribing and /or writing process
- What translation strategies, if any, do/could PGRs reflect on before and during collating into English
- What research in translation studies, if any, could PGRs consider, when collating their data
- Impact of researcher positionality on cross-language data presentation
- Impact of cross-language collation in ethics (informed consent - to what extent do interviewees know how their words will appear in a different language if cited directly?)
- What approaches are/can be considered 'empirical' or 'objective' when working across languages?
With short case studies from PGR and ECR projects which are led by:
- Dylan Bradbury (Latin American Cultural Studies, University of Manchester)
- Seerat Fatima (E&CW Postcolonial Studies, University of Manchester)
- Mawgan Glasse (Japanese/Translation Studies, UCLan)
- Samuel Hollands (Linguistics, Lancaster University/Computer Sc., University of Sheffield)
- Putri Kristimanta (Politics, University of Manchester) - online from Dili, Timor Leste
- Jiaqi Liu (CTIS Translation & Intercultural Studies, University of Manchester)
- Daniel Baldin Machado (Politics, University of Manchester)
- Samah Naseem (Sam) (Postcolonial/Arab Literary Studies, Lancaster University)
This workshop will be the first in a series of ERSC NWSSDTP university-based workshops and events which focus on methodologies and ethics relating to PGR/ECR-led interview-based research projects carried out across different languages and mediated via varying formats.
For more information, contact workshop lead/facilitator: Ruth.Abourached@manchester.ac.uk (Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies, MLC)
Benchmarking AI for Research and Beyond: A Critical Approach
Computational innovations, particularly the approaches embedded in Large Language Models, often grouped under the loose label of ‘Artificial Intelligence’ or ‘AI’, have shot to prominence in recent years as ‘the next big thing’ in business, finance, media, the creative industries, healthcare and medicine, public service delivery and government as well as research, including within the social sciences, our primary focus here. It is worth dwelling on the ‘next’, however, since AI from its inception as a field has worked by pointing to futures that remain tantalisingly beyond reach, always about to be realised but never quite there. As a result, it is of critical importance to separate out speculative claims about where these technologies will end up – now cast as the creation of ‘Artificial General Intelligence’ or AGI – with what these systems actually do and what it is possible to actually do with them. Building on increasingly lively debates about the way the performance of computational systems can best be benchmarked for tasks in particular domains, we want to take up these issues by offering three heuristics for critically thinking through their value for research. First, what’s the tool? Second, what’s the problem? Third, what would successful use of the tool in relation to the problem look like? We will work through these with participants using qualitative, quantitative and coding problems to bring the discussion down to earth.
Michael is a sociologist whose research covers methodological practice in the social and natural sciences, including qualitative, quantitative and digital methods as well as experimentation, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Phil is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Liverpool, with a background in ethnomethodology, Science and Technology Studies, Human-Computer Interaction and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work. His current research interests involve the use of computer programming and maker skills (e.g. 3D printing, electronics engineering) as social research methods, with a particular focus on applying these to studies of artificial intelligence.
Dipanjan is a PhD Candidate in Sociology at the University of Liverpool. With a background in Computer Science and social research methods, he combines qualitative and computational approaches to study Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in practice. His ethnomethodological research examines how AI systems are collaboratively developed and evaluated in real-world settings. His research interests lie in Science and Technology Studies, algorithm studies, human-computer interaction, and digital research methods.
Tom specialises in computational methods, especially for political communication. Current research includes analysing the measurement validity of AI coding approaches in the social sciences, and analysing news texts using machine learning methods.
What Does Meaningful Co-Produced Research Look Like? Centralising Lived Experience in Research Design
Research that is co-produced with partners within and outside of the research community is increasingly becoming the norm. However, when involving partners with lived experience of the issues or conditions we are researching, how can we make sure the co-production model is making the right impacts in the right ways at the right times?
This session will be led by Dr. Emily Cooper & Dr. Nicola Harding, from University of Central Lancashire
Getting Your Foot on the Funding Ladder - Opportunities for Methods North West
Increasingly academic researchers are expected to demonstrate funding success. Methods North West has schemes specifically designed to encourage researchers within NWSSDTP institutions to come together and apply for funding to deliver sessions and work together on projects and methodologies. Join Stuart and Methods NW researchers to discuss these opportunities as well as a general discussion about the challenges and opportunities around applying for funding, particularly at an early stage in your career.
Dr. Stuart Shields is Reader in International Political Economy for The University of Manchester's School of Social Sciences. Stuart also serves as Deputy Associate Dean for Postgraduate Research and Director of Methods North West.