Research Methods Rendezvous: an NCRM capacity building action
The Research Methods Rendezvous (RMR) took place on 10 September and 29 October 2025. It was a unique opportunity for researchers to explore puzzles, ideas and questions, and begin to transform them into research that is important, feasible and impactful.
The RMR was 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 explored 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. Please note, applications to attend have closed.
Resources resulting from the event
The following resources were developed by presenters following the event.
Co-created research with communities
The presenters behind the session How can we co-create research that communities both shape and share? created a graphic that summarised the session's discussions and findings. The session was run by Raquel Caires Januario, Valerie Chung, Elaine Brown and Sylvana Walcott from Sedulous Collective CIC. Access the graphic.
Decolonial approaches to exploring belonging in sport
Pamela Jabbar is working to build a network around her topic: I wonder in what ways we can reimagine belonging in sport for South Asian and Muslim heritage communities in the UK if we take a decolonising approach to sports research methodologies?. If you're interested in joining the conversation or contributing to the development of this network, please feel free to contact Pamela by email. Together, you'll decide the best way to take things forward.
Structure of the rendezvous
Rendezvous One: I wonder...
10 September 2025
Rendezvous One concerned 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. The researchers presenting their ideas were selected by NCRM following a contributor application process earlier in 2025. All speakers were active researchers sharing their own early-stage work.
The interregnum
11 September to 28 October 2025
During this period, the ideas from Rendezvous One were be developed into sessions for Rendezvous Two. Participants were invited to contribute thoughts, resources and suggestions. With the contributor’s approval, attendees had 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 concerned how we turn our wonderings into researchable questions. Through 80-minute parallel workshops, contributors and participants discussed or co-develop ideas, exploring methods and next steps, whether that be developing bid applications, forming networks or submitting paper proposals.