Summary
- On 21st October, two research students and a research trainee went to Leeds for an event.
- They went to meet other people doing research with the School for Social Care Research.
- In the morning, people had drinks and chats to get to know each other.
- Later, experienced researchers shared their stories, answered questions, and gave tips about doing research and working in universities.
- In the afternoon, Sarah Noles ran a training session called Fast Track Impact Training.
- The training explained what “impact” means in research and how to create it.
- Researchers talked about how their own projects could make an impact.
- “Impact” means that the research can make a difference to people’s lives.
The SSCR Awardee Conference Day was organised by the lead university, York, and started with relaxed refreshments and informal introductions.
Attendees became aware of new, innovative, and exciting projects within the SSCR community and were given the opportunity to connect with other researchers, academics, and PhD students, as well as to share their own project ideas and inspirations.
A key highlight was a Q&A panel. This was where academics were put to the test, answering inquiring questions from attendees. Panellists shared important insights, with full transparency on their academic and personal journeys, while providing practical guidance on how to make the best of the opportunities presented. Attendees were able to take away a more informed view on how to navigate the complex academic landscape; some of the challenges to anticipate; with greater recognition of how rewarding it is to collectively advance the field of social care research.
Sarah Noles, from the Institute for Methods Innovation, delivered excellent Fast Track Impact Training, helping to develop awardees' understanding of what impact is and how to deliver it. Awardees were also given the opportunity to reflect on their own projects, identifying and considering strategies and obstacles, to maximise impact in their research with the goal of ensuring wider benefits are made to social care communities. The Fast Track Impact Training was particularly useful given the focus that the SSCR places on impactful, co-design and co-produced research and actionable work. The training instilled a proactive approach to addressing challenges when working with stakeholders while balancing the production of both academically novel and impactful research.