methods@manchester Summer School 2024
The 2024 Methods Summer School took place at the beginning of July. It saw researchers coming together, within the University of Manchester, from a range of European countries including Italy, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark and, of course, the UK to work intensively on research training in a range of topic areas.
Just under 100 attendees enrolled on five in-person courses and three online offerings, demonstrating the University鈥檚 considerable strengths in areas such as Digital Methods, Social Network Analysis, Qualitative Interviewing and Nvivo qualitative data analysis software.
The summer school surpassed my expectations in every way. I learned so much which will be directly relevant to my future research and career generally. Really fantastic!
Networking was a key component of the week. During the first evening, participants and training leads mingled over a light buffet and drinks at the local Brewdog bar, developing contacts and friendships within - and across - their chosen courses.
This set the scene for the lunches and breaks. The contemporary Hive social space within AMBS building lends itself to participants taking the time to discuss their research ideas and methodological challenges in a more relaxed setting.
As with all methods@manchester events a vegan catering policy demonstrates how small steps can contribute towards more sustainable approaches to hosting events, and the University catering team did us proud!
The courses themselves adopted a range of approaches to training. Some of the courses were team taught.
The Mitchell Centre shared their established expertise in Social Network Analysis. This year the team offered both in-person and online options, a new approach that can help improve accessibility providing a more cost-effective option for those attending from overseas or with less flexibility.
The Digital Humanities team developed a new offering focused on Digital Methods. The course included a deep dive into a range of approaches including geospatial, mobile and operational methods alongside text mining, data visualisation and algorithmic ethnography.
These team-teaching efforts allow us to work with Research Centres, Institutes and clusters of expertise around the Faculty of Humanities to offer varied content on a broad range of topics.
Top-notch level of engagement and interaction
We are busy collecting and analysing feedback from attendees, but what we have thus far is overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the practical skills they gained and the collaborative spirit of the event.
We have plenty of ideas around how we can take the Summer School further next year. We are discussing incorporating a poster session to encourage knowledge exchange, spark conversations and potential collaborations around attendees鈥� use of methodologies and approaches.
Perhaps you have some ideas you would like to share with us or courses you would like to see offered in the 2025 Summer School?
Do contact us on methods@manchester.ac.uk if you鈥檇 like to find out more or offer suggestions.
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