INTRODUCTION & ICEBREAKERS

This seminar focuses on building rapport and getting to know one another. It is meant to be fun, interactive, and social. It also includes an introduction to the key people, purpose, and structure of the Peer Researcher Development Programme.

Project overview

This very practical seminar helps peer researchers and project lead(s) alike understand how their project(s) fit together with the Peer Researcher Development Programme. This will look different in each iteration of the Programme and so it will require tailoring by the Programme facilitator and the rest of the project team.

Research team structures and workplace expectations

This seminar was designed to establish common research project team structures and working relationships among team members, as well as common professional workplace practices and expectations. In doing so, it ‘levels the playing field’ for expectations and gives everyone an opportunity to understand the workplace context they are in.

Additional Resource:

• Working norms and research hierarchies Presentation

• Time management and taking notes: Supplemental document

Terminology

This seminar introduces common, research-related vocabulary. It can also include vocabulary that is specifically useful for the project(s) that peer researchers are supporting.

Additional Resources:

• Terminology Presentation

• Research Terminology Supplementary Document
  

Research Ethics

A basic knowledge of research ethics is one of the most fundamental requirements for holding a job or career in research. Although some peer researchers may have some exposure to research ethics (such as signing consent form as a participant), it is important to ensure that research ethics is properly introduced before a research project gets underway.

Additional Resources:

• Research Ethics Presentation

• Sample consent for templates

• Sample participant information sheet

• Institutional ethics information

• Sample ethics application

• Sample GDPR and privacy notice

technology training & upskilling

Largely consisting of technology demonstrations and discussion or Q&A time, it builds up peer researchers’s skills around relevant software, cloud-based services, and applications (PowerPoint, Google Drive, or Outlook Calendar, etc.). We recommend that this seminar is delivered in four parts. This download includes all four parts, but we do not recommend presenting them all at once.

Additional Resource:

• Technology training and upskilling: Supplementary document

Introduction to literature reviews

Researchers at every stage of their career need to develop skills around reading and writing for literature reviews, and those just starting out are often tasked with contributing to literature reviews for the projects they support. This seminar offers an overview of what a literature review is and examples of different forms literature reviews might take.

Additional Resource:

• Literature review presentation

Searching effectively for open access information

Complementary to the ‘Introduction to literature reviews’ seminar, this seminar shares approaches to finding and choosing literature for review. Among the skills it introduces are searching for content on Google Scholar and critically evaluating open access information found online.

Additional Resource:

• Searching effectively for open access information presentation

Introduction to qualitative research analysis

This seminar offers an introductory level description of qualitative research analysis, common analysis methods, and how to choose a method. It also includes meeting time between peer researchers and their project lead(s), for discussing the particular qualitative research analysis needs and methods for their project(s).

Additional Resource:

• Qualitative research analysis presentation

RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARDS

Research advisory boards (RABs) are becoming more common in the broader field of anti-slavery research. This seminar explains what a RAB is, that RAB members should be empowered around the disclosure of their lived experiences, and what the differences are between leading and facilitating a RAB.

Additional resource:

• Research advisory board Presentation

Reflexivity

Reflexivity helps researchers work in a way that is trustworthy and ethical, and promotes personal and professional growth. This seminar provides an introduction to reflexivity, a discussion about power dynamics and reflexivity, and several opportunities to practise reflexive techniques. This seminar is delivered in four parts over the duration of the Peer Researcher Development Programme. 

Additional Resources:

• Reflexivity second hour

• Reflexivity third hour

• Definition of reflexivity

Analysing and interpreting research data

This seminar discusses the key differences between analysing and interpreting research data. It also touches on how to avoid common bias pitfalls during analysis and interpretation and the importance of being clear for research audiences about when an analysis or interpretation is being offered.

Additional Resource:

• Training needs analysis template
  
  

Lived experience vs. expertise

Developed by a peer researcher and intended to be delivered by a peer researcher, this seminar addresses a common scenario faced by peer researchers: that they often find themselves telling their trauma stories or details of their lived experience of modern slavery to others as they carry out their role in research projects. This seminar distinguishes between a survivor’s lived experience of modern slavery and their expertise, and it offers discussion points around the pros and cons of each.

Additional Resource:

• Lived Experience vs. Expertise Presentation

Giving presentations online and participating in online meetings

This seminar introduces basic video skills and etiquette for presenters and meeting participants. During the seminar, peer researchers will also review and critique publicly available videos and have an opportunity to create their own practice videos.

dissemination & journal articles

After attending this seminar, peer researchers will understand the context of the various, dissemination-related roles they played in their project(s), such as contributing to journal articles or speaking at events. It also introduces the role of journal articles and allows room for discussing their purpose and common sections.

Additional Resources:

• Dissemination techniques presentation

• Preparing for impact

• Reading academic articles and grey literature: Supplementary document

Peer researcher-led session

If a peer researcher shows an interest in designing and leading a seminar, they should be given the opportunity to do so in the Peer Researcher Development Programme. This provides facilitating or teaching experience to the peer researcher who leads the session (valuable experiences when seeking an academic job) and can give other peer researchers an opportunity to see themselves represented in the seminar leader.

Creating a CV and Intro to cover letters

Delivered in two parts, this seminar introduces the purpose of and common formats for academic or skills-based CVs and cover letters. It also provides a workshop opportunity for peer researchers to write their CVs and support one another in the process.

Additional Resources:

• Basic outline cover letter

• Sample academic CV

• Sample skills-based CV

• Sample cover letter

• Sample role advert - UoN

• Sample role advert- KCL

• Creating a CV and introduction to cover letters: Supplementary document

Preparations for end of project event

Designed for peer researchers who are expected to speak at events or launches after completing their research projects, this seminar further builds on the skills gained during the ‘Giving presentations online and participating in online meetings’ seminar. Ideally, it takes the form of a dress rehearsal of peer researchers’ end-of-project event(s).