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2021 Research Methods e-Festival

Innovation, Adaptation and Evolution of the social sciences

Please note that the text of this Call can be downloaded as a separate PDF call document.

 

Call for Contributions

The Research Methods e-Festival will take place between the 25 and 29 October 2021. This will be a celebration of research methods with an interdisciplinary social science flavour pulling in the contributors and participants to provide a wealth of content. The event, which will be 100% web based, is an amalgamation of the UK NCRM Research Methods Festival and the methods@manchester Methods Fair. Being fully web based we aim to attract interest from around the world adding international perspectives to the theme of Innovation, Adaptation and Evolution of the social sciences.

 

In keeping with the concept of a Festival, we are seeking contributions of sessions that are more interactive than those of a traditional conference format. We are happy for you to submit multiple session applications, however you will need to complete a separate application form for each.

 

Sessions could cover particular methods or methodological frameworks, research design and approaches, epistemology, research infrastructure, data and data services, ethics…

 

We are particularly interested in content within the following (interdisciplinary) frameworks:

  1. Health and Wellbeing
  2. Computational Methods
  3. Creative Methods
  4. Doing Research Online

But we are happy to consider any proposed sessions that speak to the e-Festival’s vision of Innovation, Adaptation, Evolution of the social sciences.

 

Format

We are very open to format suggestions but we are particularly looking for content in the following forms:

  • “What is” and “How to” talks (50 minutes). Normally 35 minutes with 15 minutes for questions. Timetabled in slot C.
  • “In conversation with” (50 minutes). Normally 35 minutes of two-way discussion - which could be live or pre-recorded - followed by 15 minutes for audience questions. Timetabled in slot B.
  • Webinars (50 - 90 minutes). Open to variation in format but a standard one would be a talk (30-45 minutes) and then the chair opens up a discussion. Timetabled in slot C.
  • Panel sessions (50 minutes) – 4 to 5 experts each provide a 5-minute talk on their views on a particular topic then 30 minutes of questions from the audience. Timetabled in slot C.
  • Workshops (up to 3 hours). Intended to be more interactive with a deeper dive into a topic. We are open to variations in format; but a typical format might be two speakers – speaking for 20-30 minutes each – then split into break out groups lasting for 50 minutes – returning to plenary to compare notes. Another format might be a mini-hackathon - participants given a data problem to solve and work in groups to solve it. Timetabled in slot A.
  • Clinics (aka meet the expert sessions). An expert is available for bookable sessions of 15 minutes. Timetabled in slot C.
  • Short Courses (to run over 2 or 4 half-days) – these sessions are teaching/training focused and presenters will be paid at the standard NCRM rate (see below). Timetabled in slot A.
  • Slot A is 9:30-12:30 UCT
  • Slot B is 12:30 -14:00 UCT
  • Slot C is 14:00-17:00 UCT

 

NB: Video posters. There will be a separate call for slide video posters. The best 10 submitted will be live streamed on the Wednesday of the festival on rotation. Participants will be invited to vote on their favourite. A prize of £100 will be given to the most popular. Timetabled in slot B.

 

Festival Structure and Logistics

We will be using ‘Whova’ to host the event. This is a dedicated online event platform that allows for networking, easy document sharing, polls, gamification, poster competitions and one to one meetings.

 

We will be charging participants a nominal fee for a ‘Festival Pass’ that will allow them to attend all slot B and C sessions for free; for slot A there will be separate participation fees (short courses) or these may be invitation only (workshops).

 

We will be marketing the event and will be looking to target not just those in academia but also private sector, third sector and government from the UK and worldwide.

 

Fees and Honoraria

For some session/content types we can offer the following fees/honoraria; these will be paid via a fee form which will send after the event.

Short course trainer fee (per half day) £400
Workshop convener honorarium £250
Clinic experts honorarium £150
Webinar/What is speaker honorarium £100

 

Timescale

  • Content submission deadline (if relevant to session type): 15 October 2021

 

To Apply

To enquire about contributing to the e-festival, contact: claire.spencer@manchester.ac.uk