There are significant benefits for researchers willing to engage with the social context of their work. These include finding fresh perspectives on their work; developing new skills; and developing more impactful research. However there are also challenges. Research is increasingly in the public eye and many emerging research areas provoke strong public interest, whilst others are condemned as irrelevant and a waste of public money. Funders and policy makers have introduced a range of new policies, requirements and codes of practice to help researchers respond to these opportunities and challenges in effective ways.
This course will enable researchers to discover for themselves some of the many benefits of engaging with society; explore different perspectives on research and what informs these perspectives; and find out how to develop effective ways to engage with others. It will enable researchers to explore the social context of their research; develop an awareness of the issues and opportunities this presents; and explore their responses to them. Participants will be encouraged to think through the implications for their research design, conduct and dissemination.
This course will help you to:
- develop and benefit from a deeper understanding of the social context for your research
- make sense of the variety of stakeholders in your research
- share your experiences and learn from the experiences of other researchers
- explore stakeholder perspectives that might inform your research plan and steps that you could take to increase your engagement with society
Trainers interested in developing this course for use in their own context are invited to attend the course, and a supplementary ‘Training the Trainer’ session which will run from 3.30-5.00pm. Please note, this session is only open to those who also participate in the course.
Register for your place here: Research in context: Booking form
This training course will be take place at Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HQ.
http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/research-context-training-course-0
