Through the Student-Led Collaboration Fund, the SWDTP has helped students to establish a host of different Research Networks. These networks bring together researchers interested in a particular field or topic and often go on to reach a wide range of members in the South West, in the UK and around the world. You can download a flyer below to read about some of the networks that have been created.
If you have an idea for a research network that you’d like to set-up then get in contact with our Collaboration Facilitator the Collaboration Facilitator Conisbee (swdtp-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk) to discuss your ideas!
Below are just a couple of examples of our student-led networks:
Critically Queer
The Critically Queer Working Group brings together researchers who work on LGBT+/Queer issues. If you are interested in queer theory, intersecting identities, or sexuality, you may be interested in joining a Critically Queer Working Group. CQWG held their inaugural meeting in Bristol in November 2018 so that members could help define the scope, vision, and aims of the network.
Since then, the organisers have gone on to arrange a large-scale conference in Bristol. The conference has attracted huge attention and has been celebrated by researchers for the staggering levels of engagement. The call for abstracts received over 300 retweets on Twitter! The conference is due to be held in September.
If you’d like to get involved with the Critically Queer Working Group, send them an email (criticallyqueerbristol@gmail.com) or find them on Twitter (@CriticallyQ ).
Defense Research Network
The Defense Research Network is a collection of interdisciplinary Masters, PhD and early career social science researchers, focused on a variety of defence, security and military related topics in relation to policy, strategy, culture and society. As a network, we strive to build professional connections to aid individual development, support each other in research and topic related issues, and bring together like-minded researchers, supported by senior academics.
Twitter: @DefenceResNet
Email: defenceresearchnetwork@gmail.com
Participatory Action Research
Are you interested in reinvigorating the social sciences so that they are increasingly participative, democratic, focused on social and environmental justice?
Would you like to participate and facilitate research that informs and supports thoughtful action and practical change?
If so you might be interested in participatory research or perhaps even more specifically, participatory action research (PAR). The sessions held by the group are open to everyone, so you are welcome whether you are just curious about PAR or thinking of incorporating the approach into your own research.
Previously, this group has hosted monthly seminars and workshops and an international conference in 2013.
PAR is in need of a new group of students to take the lead in delivering valuable sessions for participator action researchers. If you would like to help to direct this network in the next stage of its development, register your interest with our Collaboration Facilitator the Collaboration Facilitator Conisbee (swdtp-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk).
Previous seminars have included:
Mar 2017: Emilia Melville – The role of local actors in commons and polycentric governance of energy systems transformation
Feb 2017: Lydia Medland – Reflections from fieldwork with seasonal workers in Morocco
Jan 2017: Rachel Wilder – Discussion of paper: Fields (2016) The Racialized Erotics of Participatory Research: A Queer Feminist Understanding
Dec 2016: Lisa Morgans – PAR and policy making- the dos and don’ts!
Jul 2016: Stephanie Denning – Challenging power relations &positionality in PAR
Jun 2016: Jack Nicholls – Intersubjective self and research
May 2016: Diana Barrera – an ethical discussion of methods
Feb 2016: Emma Griffin – Community Based Participatory Research
Jan 2016: Lydia Medland – Visual Methodologies
Dec 2015: Alice Willatt – Future Creating Workshops
Nov 2015: Jo Howard – Digital Storytelling