Research Methods Rendezvous: an NCRM capacity building action
The Research Methods Rendezvous (RMR) is a unique opportunity to explore puzzles, ideas and questions, and begin to transform them into research that is important, feasible and impactful.
The RMR is a free, innovative, online initiative designed to be a source of inspiration, a research incubator and a networking opportunity. Based on two half-day intensive sessions in autumn 2025, the RMR explores two parts of the research process:
- I wonder: the curiosity that sparks our research (10 September)
- How can we: the process of shaping those sparks into tangible projects (29 October)
Between the sessions, a seven-week collaboration period enables participants to co-shape the development of ideas. Applications to participate are open until Wednesday, 2 July 2025.
Read more about the event below or download a PDF of the full call for participation.
Structure of the rendezvous
Rendezvous One: I wonder...
10 September 2025
Rendezvous One concerns ideation, the ideas we have as we start to generate our research projects. These come from unfinished questions, empirical observations, theoretical intrigues or methodological curiosities. Attendees will get the chance to hear lightning talks from researchers outlining these early-stage ideas.
View the programme for Rendezvous One
The researchers presenting their ideas were selected by NCRM following a contributor application process earlier in 2025. All speakers are active researchers sharing their own early-stage work.
The interregnum
11 September to 28 October 2025
During this period, the ideas from Rendezvous One will be developed into sessions for Rendezvous Two. Discussion boards will be hosted on the RMR online platform for each idea presented.
Participants will be invited to contribute thoughts, resources and suggestions. With the contributor’s approval, you may also have the opportunity to take a more active role, potentially joining a team developing a Rendezvous Two session.
Rendezvous Two: how can we...
29 October 2025
Rendezvous Two concerns how we turn our wonderings into researchable questions. Through 80-minute parallel workshops, contributors and participants will discuss or co-develop ideas, exploring methods and next steps, whether that be developing bid applications, forming networks or submitting paper proposals.
Format for Rendezvous Two
Sessions will typically follow one of the formats below. However, alternative format suggestions are welcomed.
- Speakers' corner: Where an individual presenter may want to outline the possibilities of how they can develop their research curiosity into something workable.
- On the sofa with: Where a session has more than one presenter and aims to generate possibilities through discussion, with space for audience participation or a Q and A at the end.
- Kitchen table: Open to variation in format but a standard approach would be a talk by one or more people and then the chair opens a discussion.
- In the studio: This can be more creative in design, but may involve several participants who co-design an event (perhaps using creative methods) to get attendees to join in.
All sessions in Rendezvous Two will be 80 minutes in length. Sessions will be developed during the interregnum and will be listed on the programme page when details are confirmed.
Logistics
This is a free, online event.
We will be using Whova to host the rendezvous. This is a dedicated online event platform that allows for networking, polls, gamification and one-to-one meetings. The platform will be available to participants for the duration of the event (including during the interregnum).
Both Rendezvous One and Rendezvous Two will take place in the afternoon on their respective days.
Expectations
We expect delegates to attend both sessions of the rendezvous and actively engage with the online discussions during the interregnum.
How to apply to participate
To apply for a place at the RMR, please complete our online application form.
The application deadline is Wednesday, 2 July 2025. Attending the event is subject to a successful application.
How to contribute
The call for contributions is now closed and the speaker line-up has been confirmed. The application deadline was 4 March 2025.
Further information
For further information, please contact Sandra Gogacz: sandra.gogacz@manchester.ac.uk