How to Design Trauma-Informed and Inclusive Research

Description:

This course runs over two mornings.

Introduction/Overview

This course has been designed to give social researchers a firm understanding of what trauma-informed research means, what it looks like in practice, and how it should align with inclusive research practice.

The first half of the course will focus on the WHY - introducing the concept of trauma and exploring how pervasive it is and the impact this has on us. It will then introduce the principles of trauma-informed practice (developed in healthcare) and how this aligns with inclusive research design, particularly considering how experiences of discrimination and oppression can lead to trauma. We will then discuss vicarious trauma which comes from exposure to people impacted by trauma (including through research), and explore the importance of researcher self-care.

The second part of the course will focus on HOW. It will provide advice, guidance and case study examples on how to design and carry out trauma informed research. We will consider each stage of the research process, from identifying/defining the research topic through to analysis and dissemination. Participants will be given the opportunity to practice some of the approaches through interactive activities and case studies.

By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of what trauma-informed research means and how they can design and carry out research that is trauma-informed and inclusive.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Understand the varied causes of trauma and its impact on individuals, communities and societies.
• Understand the importance of aligning trauma-informed research with inclusive research design.
• Understand the potential impact of exposure to trauma on researchers and how this can be managed.
• Explore the principles of trauma-informed practice and how to apply these throughout the research process.
• Actionable tips and actions to take forward to support researchers to embed trauma informed and inclusive research practice.

Topics

The course will cover:

• The causes and impact of trauma
• The wider context of trauma and how it can be experienced by groups, communities and societies.
• The connection between trauma and discrimination and the importance of addressing both during the research process.
• The concept of vicarious trauma, how it manifests and what can help protect researchers.
• The principles of trauma-informed practice, how it developed, what it looks like.
• The application of trauma-informed and inclusive research practice - how to apply the principles throughout the research process in real life.

Who will benefit?

Any social researcher looking to design and deliver inclusive and trauma informed research. It is particularly relevant for researchers who may come into contact with minoritised, marginalised, disadvantaged people, and people who have experienced trauma. Given how pervasive trauma is (for us as researchers too), any research with human participants carries the potential to come into contact with trauma.

Course tutors

Dr Holly Taylor-Dunn is an experienced academic who has worked with, and researched with, survivors of trauma for over 20 years. She has been advising University ethics committees since 2017 and currently reviews for the SRA’s ethics committee. Holly is currently a Senior Evaluation Lead at M.E.L research where she leads on various projects connected to trauma and uses her experience to design safe and inclusive research.

Skye Curtis is Head of Evaluation at MEL Research. Skye has a particular passion for equitable, inclusive and human centred research practice. She believes it’s important to spend as much time considering how research feels for people, as considering the research outcomes. She’s provided training and advise on equitable, inclusive and anti-racist social research practice, including leading the design and delivery of Citizen Advice’s approach to equity in research and leading MEL’s approach to trauma informed and inclusive research design as standard.

Cost:

£180 for SRA members, £235 for non-members

Website and registration:

Register for this course

Region:

International

Keywords:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs, Data Collection, Data Quality and Data Management , Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Research Management and Impact, Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:

Frameworks for Research and Research Designs
Data Collection
Data Quality and Data Management
Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Research Management and Impact
Research Skills, Communication and Dissemination

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