UEA hosts Advanced Doctoral Training in Participatory Research

On 14th November 2025, the University of East Anglia’s UNESCO Chair for Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation hosted the Advanced Doctoral Training on Participatory Research, supported by the South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS). The participants were doctoral researchers from across the SENSS Doctoral Training Partnership, an eight-university consortium dedicated to inventive and inclusive social science research, training and collaboration in the United Kingdom.

The session was co-organised and delivered by Professor Esther Priyadharshini (School of Education and Lifelong Learning), Associate Professor Catherine Jere (School of Global Development), Dr Chris Millora (Goldsmiths, University of London), Hodges Zacharia, a Postgraduate Researcher in the School of Global Development, and Zoe Bone provided administrative support.

The training focused on understanding how participatory approaches can transform research practice, open space for marginalised voices, and support ethical, context-sensitive fieldwork. The presenters shared insights on participatory theory, youth-led research, ethical complexities, and designing research that maximises meaningful participation. In presenting case studies of previous and current research, the diversity of the team offered a range of expertise and field experiences from the UK, Malawi and the Philippines.

Participants engaged in a series of hands-on, highly interactive activities. Working in small groups, they experimented with visual and creative tools, analysed research briefs from contrasting cultural settings, and debated the practicalities of designing research that maximises participation. These activities sparked thoughtful discussions on voice, positionality, community expectations, and the challenges of aligning participatory ideals with institutional requirements.