This course introduces the idea of community participation in, and co-production of, research. It touches on the spectrum of participation, from community consultation at one end to community-led and -controlled research design at the other, with a practical focus on the latter.
We will evaluate together the strengths and challenges of each type of approach and consider which approaches might be well-suited to which types of project.
The course will offer an opportunity for students to start thinking about if and how participatory approaches could be applicable in their own work.
- To understand when, why and how some participatory approaches could add value to research
- To be able to reflect on some of the strengths, challenges and appropriate application of different participatory approaches
- To be able to reflect on how participatory approaches might be applicable to ones own work
- To understand some of the ethical considerations of using these approaches, e.g. issues of research ownership, risks around exploitation.
- To understand some of the key political roots and philosophies of participatory research
- What is participatory research?
- What can different participatory approaches offer?
- What are the ethical and practical considerations of participatory research?
- How does this relate to my work?
Learning and teaching methods
Guided content, discussions, and/or independent and group exercises.
Dr PJ Annand
Senior Research Fellow (Leverhulme)
Dr Sohail Jannesari
Dr PJ Annand
PJ is a Senior Research Fellow at University of Surrey working on participatory approaches to structural-level health and social inequalities. Prior to academia, PJ worked for 10 years in the third sector on research, campaigns and service provision. They are also an activist committed to delivering scholarship that will help bring about tangible change. PJ is co-developing a module on Lived Experience in Mental Health Research at King’s College London and has previously convened and taught on undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Health Inequalities, Cultural Competence, Public Health and Research Methods. PJ currently leads the Queering Shelter project (a participatory study on LGBTQ+ ‘safe spaces’) and the CANVAS project (on the impact of COVID on the domestic abuse sector) and co-leads the Beyond ‘Do No Harm' project (about feminist and decolonial approaches to impact). They recently founded the Reject Lounge, a group of academics, artists and third sector representatives seeking to transform academic-community collaboration cultures. PJ is also a committee member of the British Psychological Society – Psychology of Women and Equalities Section. Find out more about their work by visiting www.pjannand.com.
Dr Sohail Jannesari
Sohail is a Lecturer in Global Health. He has worked on outcomes for survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery. He completed a PhD on the effects of the asylum process on the mental health of Iranians and Afghans using a participatory action research approach and a postcolonial lens. He is also the co-founder of the Stolen Tools anti-racism journal, co-convener of the Inspiring Ethics group and co-developed a guide for mental health professionals working with Afghan sanctuary seekers. He founded the Migrant Connections Festival and Walk and Talk Migrant Welcome Tour charities. You can find out more about his work at www.sohailj.com.
A basic understanding of research methods will be helpful.
Fees and funding
Price per person:
UGPN student discount£35
Students (all non-UGPN)£38
UGPN staff discount£55
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