Co-writing with project partners - PRN Creative Participatory Methods Workshop

This event is run by the Participatory Research Network (PRN@TUoS), an established cross-faculty network that supports participatory research and researchers.

At its heart co-writing is about developing shared purpose and shared ownership. It is a mutually beneficial, adaptive and reflective practice that benefits both individuals and the project as a whole.  

By sharing examples from her work with communities in Sheffield, across the UK and in Denmark, session facilitator Dr Al Mathers will highlight the different approaches she has taken to co-writing with community researchers and place-based partners. 

During the session, she will invite participants to think about co-writing not only in relation to research dissemination but as a regenerative design approach. One that is woven throughout the research process and continually evolves in response to the emergent needs and opportunities of the project and partners.  

The session will include an applied practice workshop where participants will:  

• Reflect on past, present or future research journeys from a co-writing perspective

• Identify co-writing acupuncture points, where we could think, be and do differently

• Generate ideas for creative use of methods and tools to unlock the potential of co-writing.

We'll have a 10-minute comfort break before the second half of the workshop. Tea, coffee and cakes will be provided.

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About the facilitator

Dr Al Mathers (BA Hons, Dip LA, PhD) 

Having worked across the academic, charitable and practice sectors for over 20 years, Al helps organisations define their strategic approach to change, build their research and evaluation capabilities, and embed inclusive and participatory approaches for regenerative futures. She has held national leadership roles in the charitable sector for over 10 years, including Director of Research at The Young Foundation, Director of Research and Learning at The RSA and Head of Research at Good Things Foundation. Before moving to the charity sector Al worked in academia, where her work focused on research partnerships with underrepresented groups and redesigning participatory approaches to landscape architecture and urban design. As an expert in participatory research and the built environment Al is the Urban Institute’s Visiting Practice Fellow and holds a number of advisory and board positions including with INCLUDE+ and the Co-Production Futures Inquiry. She is committed to cross-sector impact and growing learning and collaboration cultures between policymakers, academia, businesses and charities for people, places and the planet.  

Accessibility 

The Wave building access guide

Our 2026 Creative Participatory Methods Workshop Series (PGRs & ECRs) 

We recognise that participatory and collaborative research can be especially challenging at the doctoral and early-career stages. These workshops are designed to provide a supportive space for PGRs and ECRs to:

• Reflect on the potentials and challenges of using creative participatory methods
• Discuss ethical considerations and practical applications for data collection, dissemination, and analysis
• Gain hands-on experience with each method to develop ideas for your own projects

The workshops will be run by expert facilitators who will reflect on their experience using creative methods to co-produce research in doctoral and early-career projects.