Research Culture Seminar Series: Researching Inequalities Workshop

Researching Inequalities Workshop: generating 'impact' through inequalities research - success, failures and lessons. Chaired by Dan Edmiston, with presentations from two guest speakers.

Abstracts and speakers

Title: What does impact mean for 'changing the story'?

Speaker: Professor Paul Cooke, The Centre for World Cinemas and Digital Cultures

In my presentation I would like to showcase, in particular, some of the work that we have been doing in South Africa with communities of vulnerable young people living in Ekurhuleni Municipality who use a number of ‘Isibindi Safe Parks’. ISPs provide a warm meal and after-school care to many 1000s of children and young people across South Africa. In our work we have been using participatory filmmaking and other arts and humanities-based methodologies to develop the leadership skills of the young people who use ISPs. This has led us to build a relationship with the National Association of Childcare Workers (NACCW), the national accreditor for ISPs. NACCW is interested in taking up the learning from our project and using it to inform ISP national standards.

In my presentation, I would like to explore some of the challenges, as well as some of the opportunities of attempting to generate policy-level impact from these kinds of community-level participatory projects.

Title: Evaluating mixed ability sport: reflections on generating impact from research

Speaker: Dr Jen Dyer, School of Earth and Environment

The Mixed Ability (MA) model is an innovative approach to promoting social inclusion through sport, education and advocacy. The model developed organically from a lack of provision for disabled players to participate in full-contact rugby. It has since broadened out to other sports and attracted a wide range of participants who previously faced barriers to sport. The model has been shown to have positive impacts at the individual, club and broader community level through, for example, increased physical activity, a sense of belonging, perception shifts around (dis)ability and increased social cohesion. However, the model is still very much in development and is being championed by IMAS (International Mixed Ability Sports) who are continually seeking ways to increase the impact of their work.

This presentation reflects on four years of ethnographic and Participatory Action Research around MA and the challenges and opportunities for generating impact through that research. Opportunities for impact include: the openness of IMAS and other stakeholders to feedback; the constantly evolving nature of MA; access to diverse funding sources through the University; and the research approach taken which allowed for in-depth understandings of the relevant issues. However, key challenges remain around the different priorities for the research from academia and other stakeholders, including IMAS, as well as the difficulties in managing timelines and ethical issues appropriately.

Booking

There is no need to register for this event - please just turn up on the day. Please note there is limited capacity in the seminar room and spaces will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Research Culture Seminar Series

These seminars, organised by the School of Sociology and Social Policy (SSP), generally take place every Wednesday in term time, from 12 - 1.30pm in Room 12.21/12.25 on Level 12 of the Social Sciences Building. Please check back on our online event listings for details of future seminars. Details are also emailed out to current postgraduate students, researchers and staff.

If you have any enquiries about this seminar series, please contact Tanisa at T.Gunesekera@leeds.ac.uk with the subject "Enquiry: Research Culture Seminar Series".