Participatory approaches involve non-researchers contributing to, collaborating on and/or co-creating research and these methods can offer unique opportunities and insights when researching interdisciplinary topics.
The aim of this workshop is to provide students with an interdisciplinary perspective of participatory methods available for collecting data across the humanities and the social, biological and environmental sciences.
Our objectives are to:
- Provide students with an interdisciplinary theoretical foundation on the data collection methods that can used in this area
- Provide students with real-world examples of collecting data using a participatory approach
- Provide students with hands-on experience of using a range of data collection methods applicable to this area
- Facilitate discussion between students and experts on the data collection methods and working with interdisciplinary data/topics
You will be taught and supported in your learning by three members of Faculty and five PhD students from the interdisciplinary Environmental Sustainability and Human Health (Sustainability and Society) Research Group and the Extremes in Science and Society research programme at the University of Stirling. All contributors have expertise in collecting data using a range of methods relevant to students working at the interfaces of the humanities and the social, biological, and environmental sciences. We will also encourage discussion on participants’ experiences using (or desire to use) these methods.
The workshop will be run face-to-face over two consecutive (full) days at the University of Stirling, primarily using new meeting spaces designed for researchers in the Institute for Advanced Studies in our new Campus Central facility. Additional activities will take place on the grounds of our stunning campus. Pre-workshop lecture material will be shared with participants in advance of the course so that participants have a baseline of knowledge before the workshop starts. This will allow us more time to focus real-world experiences of collecting data and more time for questions and discussion, as well as practical and interactive sessions.
The focus of the workshop will be on data collection methods, rather than analysis methods (any support materials for analysis will be made available online). The workshop will focus on three themes that will cut across the teaching:
- Theories and background knowledge needed for using participatory methods.
- Practical examples of collecting data using a participatory approach, including walking interviews and photovoice, exposure monitoring (e.g., air pollution) and workshop-based techniques like World Café.
- Lessons learned. Perspectives from PhD students and faculty about their experiences using participatory methods in interdisciplinary research will be delivered, including open discussions and Q&As with workshop participants about their concerns, experiences, and future plans.
Session 1: Thursday 19 May, 09.30am – 4.30pm (in person, University of Stirling)
Session 2: Friday 20 May, 9.30am – 4pm (in person, University of Stirling)