Collaborative inquiry

University researchers: Sophie Phillips and Dan Goodley 
Project Partners: Sheffield Voices

This Priority Area of WAARC is split into two areas of work.

Enhancing university research culture through research with Disabled People's Organisations

Problem: A need to promote more inclusive disability research activity at the University of Sheffield in Collaboration with Disabled People's Organisations.
Strategic Plan: We led and managed an Open Call to all researchers in the university encouraging them to apply for research funds to implement a research project in collaboration with Disabled People's Organisations. This call was also supported by The Participatory Research Network (PRN) is a university-wide initiative that seeks to promote and embed participatory research in the practices of researcher across the University of Sheffield. A number of activities of the PRN have taken place during the time of WAARC that have helped build a participatory university ethos.  
Deliverables: Four Collaborative Projects  were funded that seek to address the research priorities of disabled people and their representative organisations. 

Cripping the Concordat: Supporting the career development of disabled researchers

Problem: A disconnect between current commitments around researcher development and the barriers faced by disabled researchers.
Strategic plan: Explore how the Concordat To Support the Career Development of Researchers can more effectively support the needs and research aspirations of disabled researchers. 
Deliverables:  
Cripping the Concordat Game event was held in October 2025 with Postgraduate, and Early Career Researchers. 
A documentary analysis of the Concordat has pulled together key researchers for disabled researchers. The WAARC team are collaborating with the Critical Disability Studies community on a series of creative workshops that crip the concordat.

The outputs will include a set of resources and recommendations arising from the open call projects and further guidance on enhancing the Concordat. The evaluation will include an assessment of the outcomes of the open call projects and a framework for assessing the impact of enhanced guidance aligned with the Concordat on disabled researchers.