Methods for Change

Members:

Impactful social science methodologies for 21st century problems 

Social scientists are developing methodologies that are useful beyond academia. Methods for Change plans to develop an online platform to showcase the value of social sciences methodologies to the wider world and demonstrate to industry the benefits that social sciences research can bring to their organisations.

Visit the Research Methods Library

A live event illustration from the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2020, where the Methods for Change team hosted a series of online workshops.

Reflecting on already existing research methodologies within the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) at the University of Manchester and allied researchers at partner institutions (Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Oxford, Sheffield, Sussex and York), the Methods for Change team held conversations with social scientists from Universities from across the UK, to establish the characteristics and possibilities afforded by the methodological approaches they use, if applied by/within organisations such as businesses, third sector organisations and government departments.

These conversations served as the basis for the facilitation of collaborations between academics and artists/ designers, with the aim to distil key elements of 30 research methods and present them in novel, thought provoking or creative ways to reach a range of different audiences beyond academia. The pieces produced come in a variety of formats including comic illustrations, posters, zines, short films and animations and communicate methods through visual, sensory and physical elements. These are accompanied by accessible, jargon free written ‘how to’ guide about the methodological approach, with step-by-step instructions and top tips for carrying out the method.

What was next?

The M4C team had secured funding from Aspect to pursue Phase 2 of the project. This included:

  • Engaging with a range of spatial, quantitative, and mixed methods to produce additional creative resources and how-to guides.
  • Working with the Business Engagement CoP to build up a community of practice around academic and non-academic partnerships.
  • Pursuing collaborative opportunities across the Aspect network from non-traditional funding sources.

How could other Aspect members get involved?

Aspect members used the multiple resources available on the M4C project page as teaching resources. Given that many social sciences students go on to work in non-academic sectors – government, NGOs, industry – educating them early about these research methodologies and their applications outside of academia paves the way for change at a much earlier stage.

The M4C team engaged with a range of 20-30 researchers across the Aspect network to create a second round of how-to guides – particularly around spatial, quantitative, and mixed methods addressing social, environmental, political, and economic societal challenges.

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

Training & resources

  • Reset
64 Resources | Page 3 of 4

Research Method: Elliptical Methodologies

Exploring the Elliptical Methodologies research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Mobile Visual Methods

Exploring the Mobile Visual Methods approach with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Graphic Interviews

Exploring the graphic interviews: graphic elicitation and sketch reportage research method.

Research Methods: Geographical Biographies

Exploring the Geographical Biography research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Participatory Qualitative Interviews

Exploring the Participatory Qualitative Interviews research method with the Methods for Change project.

Methods for Change: Project update March 2021

The Methods for Change team reflect on key lessons and challenges faced in their project so far

Research Method: Systems Origami

Exploring the Systems Origami research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Engaged Capacity-building Workshops

Exploring the Engaged Capacity-building Workshops research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Gentle Methodologies

Exploring the gentle methodologies research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Object-oriented Interviews

Exploring the object-oriented Interviews research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Sociological Discourse Analysis

Exploring the Sociological Discourse Analysis research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Participatory Mapping

Exploring the participatory mapping research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Photo Go-alongs

Exploring the Photo go-alongs research method with the Methods for Change project.

Research Method: Follow the Thing

Exploring the Follow the thing research method with the Methods for Change project

Research Method: Oral Histories and Futures

Exploring Oral Histories and Futures research with the Methods for Change project

Research Method: Participatory Activist Research

Exploring Participatory Activist Research with the Methods for Change project

If your research method were an animal, what would it be?

Insights from a recent Methods for Change session which used creative techniques to explore creative methods

Methods for Change at the ESRC Festival of Social Science

The team reflect on sessions focused on visual, participatory and policy-led methods

Method in the Spotlight: Change Points

Re-framing resource use policy with practice theories and design methods

Method in the Spotlight: Object-orientated interviews

A Q&A with cultural and social geographer Dr Jen Owen

Page 3 of 4

Ready to join
our network?

The Aspect Network welcomes applications from like-minded organisations across the world to become members

Join us in contributing to solutions for the global challenges we encounter. Reach out to us today to discover how the Aspect Network can support you

Join us Member login