Methods for Change Phase 2

Aspect member: University of Manchester. 

What is the project doing? 

Methods for Change Phase 2 draws on the existing collaborators from Phase 1, and the wider and expanded Aspect network partners. 

The project’s first monitoring and evaluation survey conducted in summer of 2021 has shown that for 85% of people being involved with Methods for Change Phase 1 (Aspect contributors, academic and non-academic stakeholders) has ‘prompted them to think differently about their work and the role of social science methods’. Phase 2 looks set to continue the ambitious aim of realising the value of social science methodologies for creating change in society, and continue highlighting their importance, relevance and potential use beyond academic contexts for non-academic stakeholders from business, industry, government, and third sector organisations.

In this iteration, the project hopes to engage more strongly with critical and interpretive approaches to spatial, mixed methods, and quantitative methodologies. It will also more strongly engage with academics who are using social science research methods within interdisciplinary settings. Building on the success of Phase 1, the project will also look to explore non-traditional funding for social science methods driven projects (e.g., Innovate UK KPTs) and cooperative, social science consultancy projects across University of Manchester and other academic partners building partnerships, collaboration and non-academic impacts that will live beyond Phase 2 of the project. 

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Why is this needed? 

The social sciences offer many possibilities to deepening understandings of societal needs, environmental challenges, and wider political dynamics that can enhance the practices of customer, consumer and policy research within businesses, third sector organisations and government departments. The robust methodologies developed within the social sciences are often under-utilised by non-academic sectors and in interdisciplinary settings. Given the complexities of current national and global socio-ecological and socio-economic problems, there has never been a more important moment to mobilise the potential within social science methodologies with non-academic stakeholders to invoke transformative socio-ecological and political change.

How can members get involved? 

The project will take place for 15 months from June 2022.

For further information on how to be involved please contact Dr Ali Browne (alison.browne@manchester.ac.uk).

Resources

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47 resources | Page 1 of 3

2 March 2023

Methods for Change at the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences 2022

In this blog the Methods for Change team reflect on two interactive sessions on spatial, qualitative, and mixed methods convened as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2022.

3 January 2023

An introduction to Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (Innovate UK)

The Methods for Change (M4C) team delivered a session organised by Dr Temidayo Eseonu on Innovate UK funding, in particular, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) that link businesses, academics, and inspiring graduates and post-graduates.

7 November 2022

Event: Methods for Change – Social science methodologies for 21st century problems

Join the Methods for Change Team two interactive events on a diversity of social science methods for understanding and addressing 21st century challenges!

30 September 2021

Methods For Change: Showcasing Innovative Social Science Methodologies

A detailed Final report by the Methods for Change project team.

29 July 2021

Methods for Change: Mapping as Octopus

Here we join Heather Miles, University of Manchester, reflecting On the Creative Methods Zoo question “If your research method were an animal, what would it be?”

28 July 2021

Methods for Change: Bumble Bees and Creativities

In this guest blog post Lauren White, an ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield, shares her reflections and methodological musings from the Creative Methods Zoo.

19 July 2021

Methods for Change: Creative collaborations for sharing postgraduate research

In this article, six postgraduate researchers profiled in the gallery reflect on their experiences of collaborating with Methods for Change creatives to communicate their methods in thought-provoking ways.

19 July 2021

Research Method: Biographical Mapping

This ‘how to’ guide outlines the Biographical Mapping research method used by Penny Tinkler and Laura Fenton from the University of Manchester. The image was created in collaboration with More Than Minutes.

15 June 2021

Research Method: A Comprehensive Qualitative Approach to Evaluation

Exploring A Comprehensive Qualitative Approach to Evaluation Method, with the Methods for Change project.

11 June 2021

Research Method: Participatory Film Making

Exploring the Participatory Film Making Method, with the Methods for Change project.

4 June 2021

Research Method: A Place-based Case Study Approach

Exploring the A Place-based Case Study Approach Method, with the Methods for Change project.

3 June 2021

Reflecting on the Methods for Change Showcase Event

Exploring the importance and opportunities for social science methods to create change.

3 June 2021

Research Method: The Change Points Toolkit

Exploring the The Change Points Toolkit, with the Methods for Change project.

2 June 2021

Research Method: Life Mapping

Exploring the Life Mapping Method, with the Methods for Change project.

1 June 2021

Research Method: Visual Organisational Ethnography

Exploring the Visual Organisational Ethnography Method, with the Methods for Change project.

28 May 2021

Research Method: Life Histories

Exploring the Life Histories Method, with the Methods for Change project.

26 May 2021

Research Method: Social Practice Art as Research

Exploring the Social Practice Art as Research Method, with the Methods for Change project.

24 May 2021

Research Method: Playing Games as Method

Exploring Playing Games as Method, with the Methods for Change project.

21 May 2021

Research Method: Hands-on engagement and learning with Ketso

Exploring Hands-on engagement and learning with Ketso Method, with the Methods for Change project.

17 May 2021

Research Method: Digitised Ethnography Creating Interactive Stories

Exploring the Digitised Ethnography Creating Interactive Stories Method, with the Methods for Change project.

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