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'That all our knowledge begins with experience there can be no doubt' (Kant 1781): The Role of Experiential Learning in Methods Training

Speakers:

Jackie Carter, University Of Manchester

Bio: "Bobby Duffy is Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute. He has worked across most public policy areas in his career of nearly 30 years in policy research and evaluation, including being seconded to the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit. Bobby also sits on several advisory boards including Chairing the Campaign for Social Science and the CLOSER Advisory Board, is a member of the Executive of the Academy of Social Sciences, and is a trustee of British Future and the Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education. His first book, The Perils of Perception – Why we’re wrong about nearly everything, was published by Atlantic books in several countries, drawing on a set of global studies on how people misperceive key social realities. His latest book, Generations - Does when you’re born shape who you are?, came out in September 2021 and challenges myths and stereotypes around generational trends, seeking a greater understanding around generational challenges."

Bio: I have a passion for data literacy training, having spent the last 20 years working in this field. I am Director of User Support and Training at the UK Data Service, where I lead a national programme of data literacy training that is accessed by researchers across all sectors. I have taught data literacy to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Manchester, including QStep undergraduates, and I have mentored/supervised QStep interns. I have led/lead cross-European data literacy programmes and I am a co-investigator on a project which aims to increase data literacy skills in Latin America (EmpoderaData).

Bio: "Holly is a Lead Analyst in the ONS's Public Policy Directorate, where she leads a team producing analysis and research with cross-cutting policy relevance, currently focussing on social mobility and education. Originally from Edinburgh (or Glasgow, depending on which parent is asked) she was a member of the University of Edinburgh's first Q-Step cohort, graduating with an MA(Hons) in International Relations with Quantitative Methods. This included a work placement with Audit Scotland which encouraged her to seek data-driven opportunities in the public sector. Holly has worked in a range of analyst roles in the Civil Service as well as in the private sector and in retail and hospitality. She is passionate about expanding opportunities having led the Civil Service Fast Stream's Social Mobility Network and mentored and tutored young people. In pandemic-less times, Holly loves to explore foreign cultures and has lived and travelled in a number of countries."

This panel; chaired by Jackie Carter; author of 'Work placements; internships and applied social research' (Sage; 2021); will discuss the value of experiential learning in teaching and training of methods to social researchers. The panellists are Bobby Duffy – Chair of the Campaign for Social Sciences and author of ‘The Perils of Perception – why we’re wrong about nearly everything’; Vanessa Higgins; Director of User Support and Training; UK Data Service; Jamie Pearce; Director ESRC Scottish Graduate School of Social Science and Holly Bathgate; Lead Analysis; ONS. The discussion will reflect the experiences of all the panellists in working with industries across different sectors (outside of academia). The aim of the panel is to showcase experiential learning at different career stages; debate the question 'who pays?' (for work-placed experiences) and discuss with the audience how we can collate evidence of the value of experiential learning to create more programmes that benefit early- and mid- career researchers and the talent pipeline into social research careers.