Research Training

An important principle for our work at the Institute for Community Research & Development (ICRD) is researching with and for communities.

Central to meeting this aspiration is our community peer research model, where we recruit, train, and support community members and those with lived experience of a situation to research alongside us. This includes working across the research cycle from planning and research question formulation, data collection, analysis and reporting.

Although the approach to peer research varies according to the exact needs of a particular project, the model generally involves recruiting a group of community peer researchers, often from a range of diverse backgrounds including by age, class, nationality and ethnicity, who can bring a variety of work and study experiences to the project. We then deliver a programme of tailored research training to ensure they are fully briefed on the project and to develop their practical research skills. At the core of the training is the development of research questions; research methods including interviews, observations, and creative methods; ethical principles of research and researcher safety; and data analysis and reporting.

Critical to the success of a community peer research approach is the support we provide throughout the research project, fair remuneration, and meeting the aspirations of peer researchers throughout the project, for instance in moving on to future research opportunities and employment.

We work with a wide range of stakeholders including neighbourhood, community and voluntary organisations, charities, arts and cultural organisations, third sector organisations, local authorities, and the NHS.

You can find out more about our community research by visiting our website or checking out the testimonies of our community researchers on our blog.

We are always eager to hear from individuals and organisations who are interested in community research and wish to learn more or would like to get involved. Please contact Dr Joshua Blamire (j.blamire@wlv.ac.uk) to discuss.