The capacity to undertake academic research on both adult and children’s social care is under-developed and fragile both here in Wales and across the UK.
The aims of this programme were both: to encourage people into the field of academic research on all aspects of social care; and to support those already working in the field to develop their careers.
Overview
There is a well-documented lack of research capacity in social care across the United Kingdom. Wales also experiences this broader problem, as evidenced for instance by relatively few senior social care researchers regularly obtaining research income. The causes are complicated, systemic, and long-term. Nonetheless, we feel that there is an opportunity to address these issues, through a programme that uses existing strengths and partnerships and targets key points in the academic career.
Activities and Methods
Pathway to PhD – Aimed at those working in social care or with lived experience of services (either adult services or children and families) who are considering undertaking a doctorate or professional doctorate, this programme provided support to take research ideas and develop them into an application for doctoral study.
Pathway to PI – This programme was aimed at Early Career Researchers (ECRs) who having been awarded their PhD in a social care focused research area and who were contemplating taking the next step and applying for their first grant funding as a Principal Investigator (PI).
Pathway to Professor – For mid-career researchers who have worked in social care research for several years. The programme linked participants with a mentor who is a senior academic in the social care field. Regular meetings over a six-month period provided an opportunity for participants to think about their longer-term career goals and formulate those goals into a plan.
Research Methods Masterclasses – The above programmes were underpinned by the Research Masterclass Series. The research masterclasses were an ongoing series of presentations by experts in the use of particular research methods. Using practical examples, the sessions provided not just an overview of a particular methodological approach but outlined how it can be applied within the context of social care research.
Findings
This programme has now finished.
An example research methods masterclass can be viewed below:
Contact us – ElliottMC1@cardiff.ac.uk
Lead Person
| Principal Investigator | Professor Donald Forrester |
Academic Staff
| Research Fellow | Dr Martin Elliott |
Related Information
| Related Schools | School of Social Sciences |
| Related partners | N/A |
| Funders | Health and Care Research Wales |
| Related publications | N/A |
| Related links | Research Capacity Building Programme – CASCADE (cascadewales.org) |
| Related documents | N/A |