Participatory Action Research Lead (KTP Associate)

KTP

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a unique UK-wide activity that help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity by making better use of the knowledge, technology and skills within universities, colleges and research organisations. Further information is available at: www.ktponline.org.uk

The project

The University of Essex, in partnership with Minstead Trust, offers an exciting opportunity to a highly enthusiastic post-doctoral researcher with the relevant skills and knowledge. Through using a participatory action research approach (PAR), the KTP Associate will work in collaboration with adults with learning disabilities, their family carers, Minstead Trust staff, and academics from the University of Essex. Together they will co-produce, implement, and evaluate a Best Practice Toolkit and ways of working. The toolkit will revolutionise engagement between adults with learning disabilities, their family carers, and Minstead Trust staff. This will lead to improved involvement and outcomes for all stakeholders, as well as wider sector dissemination and implementation.

The post is fixed term for 24 months and is based at Minstead Trust’s offices in Hampshire. The project forms part of a national programme of participatory research that is being undertaken by the Occupational Therapy Division at the University of Essex, in collaboration with various marginalised and seldom heard groups, and in advancement of social and occupational justice.

Duties of the post

The duties of the post will include:

• Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to establish a culture of co-production within the Minstead Trust.
• Identifying and reviewing a relevant body of literature, to inform both the PAR processes and the resulting toolkit.
• Supporting with obtaining research ethics approval.
• Actively involving various stakeholders (adults with learning disabilities, their family carers, and Minstead Trust staff) and other organisations in processes of research planning, data collection, analysis, and dissemination, using creative and accessible participatory research methods.
• Acting as a source of on-site information and advice in relation to the project and co-production.
• Translating research insights into commercial tools/a toolkit.
• Translating research findings into accessible forms for wider dissemination and implementation.
• Writing research articles for peer-reviewed journals and giving presentations at national and international conferences and seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Contributing to the overall activities of the research team and division as required, which may include contributing to teaching sessions.

Key requirements

• PhD degree in health and social care, or a closely related subject (for example, Occupational Therapy, Disability Studies, Social Work or Health Sciences) with a publication track record relative to career stage.
• Awareness of, and interest in, the third sector ideally with a passion for working with people with learning disabilities/neuro-divergent people and their family carers.
• Ability to thoughtfully manage relationships and boundaries with stakeholders who may have varying needs, to sustain involvement as accessible, focused and purposeful.
• Proven ability and commitment to carry out high quality original research, leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals.

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