Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Wanted young researchers – Wanted young researchers – the employment of young people as the employment of young people as researchersresearchers
Jennie FlemingWith Harrison Carter, Iman Delanius, Susie Dobson Centre for Social Action
What do the Associate What do the Associate Research Assistants (ARA) Research Assistants (ARA) do?do?
Impact of being a young Impact of being a young person on the research person on the research processprocess
PerspectiveOwn knowledge of being youngChallenge stereo typesFresh eyesImagination and creativityFlexibility Move away from dominance of
adults
Knowledge and skills of Knowledge and skills of ARAARAAnalysis skillsExperience of using range of
qualitative methodsPlanning and OrganisationWorking with different groups of
peopleAwareness of university research
etiquette Got NOCN qualification
Connection with Centre for Connection with Centre for Social Action and De Social Action and De Montfort University Montfort University
ColleaguesSupportive environmentEmployees – Job title, staff IDPaid
Why did we do this?Why did we do this?
Social action in practiceCommitment to service user
involvement in researchYoung people as insiders, not
outsidersSystemic change within the
university
Social action principlesPeople should have a voice and a
stakeCommitment to social justiceChallenge negative labels and
perceptionsSupport people to investigate own
problems and issuesFacilitate not leadBased own people’s own knowledge
and insight
How did we do it?How did we do it?Involves many aspects of the
universityApproval of postsRecruitment of ARA
◦Involvement of young people Support of the posts
Where are we now?Where are we now?Much works well from ARA
perspective as employeesWorking with other members of
staffDevelopment and sharing of skillsSmoothing processes along What is in control of Centre for
Social Action and what is in control the university ?
Skills Style
Strategy Systems
SharedValues
Staff
Structure
www.themanager.org
What is still to be done?What is still to be done?Systems - development fundStaff - further embedding as
colleaguesStructures – sustainabilityStrategy – built inSkills - ARA’s own research Shared values - perceptions of
young people’s research Style and culture
Disadvantages of the modelDoes it preclude most marginal
young people?Do we train out the young
people-ness?Restrict funding available to
young people?How involved in setting the
research agenda are young people?
