Methodological Innovations
Research group focused on supporting and improving the understanding and application of contemporary approaches to the research of the social world.
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The Methodological Innovations (MI) Research Group is focused on supporting and improving the understanding and application of contemporary approaches to the research of the social world.
We draws upon techniques/methods used across the health and medical professionals, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities and our membership has extensive discipline specific and inter-disciplinary researchers. In addition, there is established pedagogical expertise in supporting undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that further supports the next generation of discipline specific and inter-disciplinary research/researchers.
Auto/biography (A/B)
Auto/Biography recognises the relationship substantively and methodologically between the self and other. The Auto/Biography (A/B) cluster within the Methodological Innovations group was formed in 2012/13 and draws on the expertise of academics at all stages of their careers, some of whom are also active members of the British Sociological Association (BSA) Auto/Biography Study Group (established in 1991). For example, Professor Gayle Letherby was guest of honour at the 26th BSA Auto/Biography Study Group Summer Conference. Letherby and Parsons are also organising the BSA Auto/Biography Study Group Summer Conference in 2020. The A/B cluster group meets at least three times a year as half day conferences, paper sessions and/or research seminars with a combination of internal and external speakers. Focused themed activities include respondent-researcher relationships, organizations, power and emotion, families, relationships, and memories, autobiography and ethics. The A/B cluster has been a consistent presence at the last four Methodological Innovation conferences with a dedicated conference stream. It draws upon an inter-disciplinary staff from across the university with significance presence from health, arts, education, medical school and business.
Methodological Innovations Conferences 2014-18
For a number of years members of the MI group have organised a Methodological Innovations Conference. This conference offers a unique opportunity to debate current and future issues of methodological relevance, with delegates drawn from different disciplines and professional areas.
Some examples of Auto/Biography and Methodological publications from members of the group:
Doctoral publications that have utilised Auto/Biography:
Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF), Residential Research Group Award: Mapping the transformative potential of participatory styles of research with vulnerable, marginalised and/or hard-to reach groups. Girton College, Cambridge 2017. Details on the ISRF website: http://www.isrf.org/about/fellows-and-projects/res2-5/. Also, see website: https://collaborations-in-research.org/