North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership
The ‘Thinking Cap’ Workshop: A Collaboration of Heads, Hats and Crafts
Camilla Woodrow-Hill, Psychology, University of Manchester (2020 Cohort)
Have you ever thought about what neuroscience, hats, health and creativity have in common? On starting my PhD in September I signed up to be a Widening Participation Fellow for the University of Manchester. This role meant communicating science and research to school children of varying ages, focusing in particular on those considered to be in ‘widening participation’ areas. This means focusing on students from groups that are currently under-represented as students at the University of Manchester. More information on this can be found here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/social-responsibility/social-inclusion/widening-participation/
Read MoreAttending A Conference in Times of Change
Ian Winstanley, Sociology, University of Liverpool (2017 Cohort)
In light of the current impacts of rapid technological changes in so many industries, social researchers are being encouraged not only to think about how they might contribute to academic debates on these developments but also to think about how their research might address the practical concerns of people working in the industries that are being shaped by technological innovations. In the “ESRC research helping industry” document, for instance, the ESRC refers to the need for social science research that develops insights into how work is changing in the creative and cultural industries in the context of transformative digital technologies. In responding to this need through my PhD research, I’m always keen to find opportunities to learn more about the experiences of people who are dealing with technological changes in their working lives, and I’d like to share my experience of one such learning opportunity in this blog post.
Read More‘In the moment’ with music – reflections on my CASE studentship experience with Manchester Camerata
Robyn Dowlen, Health & Wellbeing, University of Manchester (2015 Cohort)
Dr Robyn Dowlen is a postdoctoral research associate at the Centre for Cultural Value, University of Leeds. Robyn was awarded an ESRC CASE studentship (2015-2019) through the North West Doctoral Centre (now North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership) which focussed on understanding the ‘in the moment’ experiences of people living with dementia when they take part in improvised music making. Robyn’s industry partner was Manchester Camerata, an orchestra based in Manchester, who have a well-established music programme for people living with dementia and their family carers – Music in Mind
Read More“Knowledge exchange during a year of lockdown”
Evanthia Koukouli, Social Statistics, Lancaster University (2018 Cohort)
It’s been more than a year since the first lockdown in the United Kingdom. Wearing a mask, arranging online meetings, social and academic events have now become the new standard. Although life within the university, receiving and sharing knowledge changed vastly, I am impressed by the quality of the organised online events and the unceasing effort to develop methods and techniques that make the online experience even better. A good majority of courses, seminars and conferences that I attended this year were truly amazing experiences…and of course from the comfort of my home. Fortunately, in the United Kingdom, technology was a huge part of society and education before the pandemic which makes me feel that the transition was less challenging compared to countries where the use of technology was not so popular in schools, universities and local businesses. Besides, I am still amazed to see the variety of software used for knowledge delivery and event organisation. Socio, MS Teams, Zoom, Padlet and many other software and apps could truly make knowledge exchange effortless.
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North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership 