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.
Visit the Research Methods Library
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).
Methods For Change: Showcasing Innovative Social Science Methodologies
A detailed Final report by the Methods for Change project team.
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?”
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.
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.
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.
Research Method: A Comprehensive Qualitative Approach to Evaluation
Exploring A Comprehensive Qualitative Approach to Evaluation Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Participatory Film Making
Exploring the Participatory Film Making Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: A Place-based Case Study Approach
Exploring the A Place-based Case Study Approach Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Reflecting on the Methods for Change Showcase Event
Exploring the importance and opportunities for social science methods to create change.
Research Method: The Change Points Toolkit
Exploring the The Change Points Toolkit, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Life Mapping
Exploring the Life Mapping Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Visual Organisational Ethnography
Exploring the Visual Organisational Ethnography Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Life Histories
Exploring the Life Histories Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Social Practice Art as Research
Exploring the Social Practice Art as Research Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Playing Games as Method
Exploring Playing Games as Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Hands-on engagement and learning with Ketso
Exploring Hands-on engagement and learning with Ketso Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Digitised Ethnography Creating Interactive Stories
Exploring the Digitised Ethnography Creating Interactive Stories Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Open Interviews
Exploring the Open Interviews Method, with the Methods for Change project.
Research Method: Participant Packs
Exploring Participant Packs: A Flexible, Inclusive and Accessible Method, with the Methods for Change project.