Dear Colleagues

Are you curious and/ or critical about community-based research undertaken in relation to issues facing Sanctuary Seekers (Refugees and Asylum Seekers)? For example, how a project goes, who is involved and how, and what outcomes are intended, and realised? Perhaps you are interested in getting involved in community-facing, community-based research, and want to know more.

We are inviting you to attend one of the two events – space limited - that will be held to share experiences and insights into the challenges and opportunities for community-based research with a view to building better understanding and capacity for future research for all those involved and interested. At this meeting you will have the chance to connect with others with similar interests. The purpose of holding two events is to enable as many people as possible from across Lancashire County to attend without travelling too far.

So, you can either attend the event in Preston on the 11th January 2023, 12 – 3pm, or the event in Burnley on the 25th January 2023, 1 – 4pm (please use appropriate eventbrite link).

Background

An extended University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) based research team has been working on two projects over the last 2 years, commissioned by Lancashire County Council.* One project has carried out scoping research (a survey was undertaken) for a potential Lancashire Refugee Council (LRC) and the other has begun developing researcher capacity among the Sanctuary Seeker population in Lancashire by offering research training and voluntary work experience.**

The first of these projects offers a case study with which to discuss issues raised and experienced by community-facing and community-based research. In order to address the criticism about research being done by outsiders who ‘parachute’ into a community and then disappear, the second project began building capacity for and experience of doing community-based research with and alongside groups impacted by research here, Sanctuary Seekers. Participants in the second Researcher Capacity Building project, had the opportunity to join the research team completing the first scoping research project and it is this extended team with experience and insights, who have put together this event. The focus then is not on either the scoping research or its outcomes – which is beyond the remit of this event - but on the processes and practises of community-based research.

Event details

The event will be held over 3 hours, beginning with a cooked lunch and opportunity to meet other attendees and our extended research team. Three presentation and discussion sessions will then follow.

The first session will begin by asking you for your thoughts and ideas about community-based research to incorporate into a session which seeks to identify some key features of researching in and with communities. The second session explores the whys and hows of developing researcher capacity in communities. The third and final session offers the team’s insights into the passage of a recent project, identifying common challenges that can be encountered.

Places are limited, so please book your place as soon as possible.

The welcome/ registration desk will be open from 30 minutes before the event start time.

The Extended Research Team

Caroline Blunt carolineblunt@tutanota.com

Pat Cox patcox948@gmail.com

Suhir Abuhajar

Samara Atassi

Runda Gaafer

Reem Gahallah

Mohammad Issa

& Other team members

* UCLan Ethics Committee approval reference BAHSS2 0161

** https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/resettlement-in-lancashire/professionals/co-production/

About? For? With? By? Community-facing and community-based research