Towards 2020 – Challenges for the Social Science Community Workshop Panel 3: Future capability and...
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Transcript of Towards 2020 – Challenges for the Social Science Community Workshop Panel 3: Future capability and...
Towards 2020 – Challenges for the Social Science Community
Workshop Panel 3: Future capability and capacity
Paula WhiteMA Applied, Social Science Research, Victoria University of WellingtonAdvisor, Research and Analysis, Tertiary Education Commission Te Amorangi Mätauranga Matua
[email protected]@tec.govt.nz
Overview
• Reflections about positive and not-so-positive exepriences as an ‘emerging’ researcher in last 5 years
• Personal goals as a social science researcher for next 5 – 10 years
• What would support me to meet those goals• Vision for the next generation social of scientists
in Aotearoa New Zealand• Some final thoughts
Successes
• Undertaking a Masters programme in social science research with a strong applied componentGovernment and community sector practicumsActive learning and “getting one’s hands dirty” with
applied research
• Opportunitites for enagaging with other researchers through eg. conferences, ASSR workshopsEstablishing networks, making connections, learning
from others’ experiences and expertise
Challenges
• Becoming aware of own skill and knowledge gaps as a researcher through job-seekingEmployers want readiness in both qualitiative and quantitaive
methodology and practice
• Different standards of research skill and practice amongst social science researchersDifficulty of influencing better practice as an emerging
researcher
• Unresolved issues around the ethics and practice of cross-cultural researchOvercoming the legacy of past unethical practice and dialogue
to move from diversity to cohesion
Personal goals
• Developing expertise in using/understanding emergent and increasingly relevant methodological knowledge and skillsMixed methods researchKaupapa Mäori researchBest practice research with Pacific peoples
• Dialogue with new and experienced researchers• Addressing challenge of designing research to
meet information needs for increasingly complex society
Supports?
• Financial resources are importantsponsoring ongoing knowledge creation and
sharing through eg. employment, BRCSS, SPEAR
• Formal/informal networks, workshops, seminars, mentoringMore formalised mentoring as should not fall
entirely on shoulders of those experienced researchers who are passionate and willing
Next generation
• Availability of education and training opportunities to meet capacity challengesUnder- and postgraduate level in both theory and applied
research practice
• Quality training that prepares/supports graduates to meet capability challengesRelevant in context of current and likely future
methodological and societal issues
• Researchers sharing their ‘pearls of wisdom’• Discussion around progressive ideas/alternative
research design strategies, eg. Flyvbjerg, Wolf
Next generation contd.
References
Bent Flyvbjerg, Making Social Science Matter: Why social inquiry fails and how it can succeed again, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001
Amanda Wolf, ‘Research Strategies for Policy Relevance’, Social Policy Journal, Issue 23, pp. 65 – 85, 2004
Vision
• Social science research ‘that matters’ is likely to attract and be attractive to emerging researchers
• Contribution of social science research in future increasingly valued and respectedPolitical awareness of importance of this area of activity is
‘now’ and should be acted upon
• Relevant social research provides a path to positively influence our own futures
• Beyond philosophical/practical issues around capacity and capability, its about…VISION AND LEADERSHIP – do you have it?
Questions?