The course draws on recent work around research integrity, notably from the Economic and Social Research Council but also from experts working in the forefront of the field. As well as explaining what we mean by research integrity, we will explore why it is important by thinking about the consequences where integrity standards are not met.

Keynote delivered by Dr Karen Gregory, Digital sociologist and ethnographer, The University of Edinburgh This talk will explore three research projects whose methodological approaches place…

In this session we introduce and reflect upon the role of multilevel models in applied social research, and provide practical training materials which demonstrate ways of running multilevel models in survey data analysis scenarios.

This all day course is designed to be gentle introduction to the basics of bivariate analysis and regression analysis in the open-source software RStudio.  

This workshop offers a creative and hands-on guide to participatory research approaches and methods. By sharing our own research experiences, we will reflect on the different forms that participatory research can take.

In this one-day course you will learn how to apply computational methods for the processing and analysis of textual data. Using Python and R, you will develop skills in preparing textual data for computational analysis; and core methods of text data analysis (e.g., sentiment analysis, topic modelling).

Led by Dr Bridget Bradley, University of St Andrews In this workshop you will gain a detailed introduction to ethnography from a trained anthropologist who…

This session will map the socio-historical context of DA, from its roots in semiology and through the ethnomethodology that characterized much 1970s social research. Theory will be explored, particularly contributions from Foucault around power.

Come along to this drop-in session to meet Lynne and her herd of alpacas - feed them snacks, take them for a walk around the green, and learn more about their lives on a smallholding in the Scottish Borders.

In this short session, we will critically explore how incorporating ‘more-than-human’ viewpoints and experiences into social research can yield richer accounts of social life and open up new possibilities for addressing contemporary social challenges.

In this workshop, I will explore in more depth the concept of the ‘hidden curriculum’, what it is, what it entails in practice and why it is inherent in the doctoral journey.

Directed by Dr Itandehui Jansen, Screen Academy Scotland at Edinburgh Napier University We are excited to host a special screening of Itu Ninu (2023), an…

This session offers a space to reflect on the doctoral journey and explore the PhD as an emotional and embodied process, unique and personal to each student. Through gentle movements, mindfulness practices and reflection exercises, the attendees will be invited to consider their academic journey beyond notions of output, career trajectory and destination.

After an exciting day of learning new things and meeting your fellow PhD students, why not come and win some prizes at our legendary SGSSS…

This course will introduce core machine learning concepts, including the practical use of large language models for coding, with an emphasis on hands-on practice using relatable examples and discussing ethical implications.

This one-day training course will provide a brief introduction to multilevel modelling, followed by an overview of the intersectional MAIHDA approach. The course will cover the basics of two-level random-intercept multilevel models, how to apply this model within the MAIHDA framework, key statistics generated by the approach, examples from the literature, and guidance on visualizing the results.

This one-day in person workshop will introduce the basics of using NVivo for qualitative research projects. This is ideal for those who are new to NVivo, or would like a refresher. Students will be introduced to the NVivo software and learn how to do some fundamental tasks.

This workshop will examine how we integrate different forms of knowledge in social science research, with particular emphasis on the integration of small and large scale (qualitative and quantitative) approaches and data.

This course will enable you to generate impactful visualisations, to plan and assess graphs that provide analyses, and to report on quantitative data in a systematic, accessible and trustworthy way.

The workshop will introduce students to applied social research in the Scottish Government. You will stand in the shoes of a government social researcher for the first part of the day and will work on a series of scenarios to develop an applied research proposal.

This one-day workshop will involve presentation on the background and development of the IPA approach, training and practice in IPA interviewing skills, training and practice with IPA analysis (circa 2021 approach with a particular focus on the development of personal experiential themes) and some discussion of writing and publishing of IPA studies.

The session examines how archives are used and assembled to promote social and criminal justice. Starting with a theoretical discussion of non-representational and collaborative methodologies and their temporalities, the session challenges the privileged status of the archive in creating truth-claims about the past or now.

The session will commence by exploring the advantages offered by AI tools, such as aiding non-native English speakers in manuscript preparation, delivering instantaneous feedback, and automating the initial screening of manuscripts. The ability of AI to democratize access to scientific knowledge is contrasted with urgent ethical considerations like the question of authorship, concerns of plagiarism, and preserving the integrity of scientific communication, intellectual property rights, as well as the potential for ingrained biases.

We will discuss in this workshop what makes international PGR journeys distinct from other PGR journeys and how international PGRs can optimise their own unique journeys.

This is an interactive session designed to help doctoral candidates navigate and make the most of their supervision experience. No prior knowledge is required—just a willingness to reflect on and engage with strategies for fostering an effective supervisory relationship.