Talks and Workshops

Methods@Manchester hosts a variety of talks and workshops.

Methods@manchester offer a range of workshops which offer in-depth training in particular research methods, or discussion around cutting-edge issues related to research methods.

We also partner with Methods North West to offer a range of online seminars - these run in a regular slot on Thursdays 12-1pm.

Upcoming Events 2024/25

Creative Approaches to Qualitative Research - A methods@manchester Summer School Taster

Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm (Online)

This session gives you a taster of the two-day summer school on creative approaches to qualitative research which is team taught by members of the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives.

Session Leads; Sophie Woodward; Petra Nordqvist; Robert Meckin; Laura Towers; Maisie Tomlinson; Hazel Burke.

Affect Theatre – A Workshop at the Boundaries of Theatre and Anthropology

Thursday 27 March – Saturday 29 March

This three-day workshop is open to both faculty (including GTAs) and students (UG, PGT, PGR) across the Methods North West Partnership. The workshop explores the cross-pollination between research and narrative practice in theatre and anthropology, offering the opportunity to transform methodological practice in both.

It is possible to attend the full three-day workshop or the ‘masterclass’ portion itself on Day 3. We also have a limited number of travel/accommodation bursaries available to eligible PGRs, with further details on our event page.

Staff Training

 

Methods North West - Lunchtime Sessions

Imposter Participants in Qualitative Research: Challenges and Potential Ways Forward
Thursday, 20 March

This seminar focuses on the seeming explosion of a recent phenomenon – so-called imposter participants. The increasing use of digitally assisted data collection and recruitment via social media informs the coming forward of participants who seemingly do not meet study recruitment criteria. There are challenges involved in accurately assessing participants’ eligibility for studies and the motivations to conceal ‘true’ identity are not fully clear, yet the potential adverse impacts for research studies are far-reaching.

  • L-earning: Rethinking Young Women's Working Lives 
    Dr. Lilith Brouwers, Prof Kate Hardy, Prof Kim Allen [University of Leeds] 
  • Transition to Parenthood in UK SMEs 
    Dr Bianca Stumbitz [Middlesex University], Dr Helen Norman [University of Leeds], Dr Amy Burnett [Middlesex University] 

Sex Trafficking, Ethics and Empowerment, with Dr. Maria Turda, University of Central Lancashire
Thursday, 27 March

Research on sex trafficking involves various ethical considerations and dilemmas when victims and survivors become research participants. In addressing trafficking and informing effective policies, scholars recommend micro-scale in-depth empirical research since they take an inductive approach to understanding complex problems. A critical overview of the challenges encountered throughout the research process will be provided, with specific attention given to ‘the question of ethics’ and the potential disconnect between empowering women to have a voice and a need to protect women from re-traumatisation.

Maker Methods and Social Design Interventions, with Dr Phillip Brooker and Dr Laura Gutiérrez
Thursday, 4 April

This session will explore the potential for maker methods – manufacturing techniques such as 3D-printing, laser cutting and fabric printing that do not require the use of industrial infrastructure – to feature in the social science research methods repertoire.

Finding and Analysing Secondary Data with Dr. Les Humphreys, University of Central Lancashire

Thursday, 10 April

A wealth of quantitative and qualitiative secondary data is available - that is, data that has alreay been collected and made available for research purposes. This can mean that data good quality data and/or large amounts of data can be collected relatively quickly and cheaply. This session will discuss the advanatges and pitfalls of using secondary data and introduce the data and facilties that are available via the UK Data Service.