Making Research Count

Lead university staff
Professor Ian Shaw
ifs2@york.ac.uk

Coordinator: Stephanie Lacey
ss654@york.ac.uk

Administrator: Jane Phythian
jp42@york.ac.uk

Members
East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull City Council, Leeds City Council, North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council and York City Council.

Regional approach
Making Research Count (University of York) (MRC(Y)) is currently working with eight local authority Children’s and Adults’ Departments to implement an agency funded regional programme of events across all life stages. The events include subject modules, research briefing seminars, research skills events and consultations and conferences. In addition we facilitate a regional Research Governance Framework in Social Care group. Places at our events are also available on a fee paying basis.

Subject modules use a model which the MRC(Y) staff devised and which is delivered over two separate days with a minimum 6 week break in between. This involves an approach to the dissemination of research findings which crucially incorporates a framework for moving towards implementing relevant findings into policy and service developments.

MRC(Y) uses key research staff on the first day to present up to date, comprehensive research findings to small groups of agency staff in positions of operational and/or strategic influence who are nominated by their agencies to attend. Agency staff are involved in preparatory work prior to the first day and consultation and negotiation work between the first and the second days, with the input of MRC(Y) staff where requested. The focus of the second day is on incorporating the research findings into operational activity (either at single agency or joint working level) where appropriate. Participants from the first day can bring additional colleagues to the second day by forming working groups around key goals for implementation. MRC(Y) staff facilitate the day and researchers are on hand for consultation. Where agency staff identify a role for further dissemination or implementation work beyond the second day, MRC(Y) may have a role in assisting with this as Stage 2 of the work, although this is currently not funded.

MRC(Y) uses staff from within the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at York, the national Making Research Count group, and relevant staff from elsewhere as appropriate. Staff delivering the events are well informed about relevant and contemporary research findings. We aim to use researchers who are able to enter into dialogue with practitioners and to make clear links to social work, social care and health practice. All events are attended by a member of the MRC(Y) team whose remit is to assist in the design, delivery and monitoring of them.

Research Briefings seminars run throughout the year and are designed as updates on current research and related knowledge on specific topics across the range of service sectors.

The university department in which the regional programme has been developed:
Making Research Count at University of York is located in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work.

Website
Information about the work of Making Research Count at University of York is available at:
http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/spsw/mrc/background.htm

Information about the research in the department and associated publications is available at:
http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/spsw/res.html

Downloads

Annual Report 2008-2009