wanted young researchers – the employment of young people as researchers jennie fleming with...

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?

jfleming@dmu.ac.uk

http://www.dmu.ac.uk/csa