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 is excited to have formed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the Minstead Trust. The Minstead Trust is a charity based in Hampshire, which works in collaboration with people with learning disabilities and their family carers, to enable them to achieve greater independence and live happier and healthier lives. One of their main areas of work is accommodation support. As they transition into adult accommodation support services, adults with a learning disability, their family carers, and Minstead Trust accommodation support staff form a tripartite relationship through which support is planned and delivered within the Minstead Trust. However, to date practices in support provision have differed, leading to miscommunications, relationship difficulties, and some areas of inconsistency and discontinuity in provided support and living circumstances. There are also often difficulties experienced during the transition from child to adult learning disability services. These are sector wide issues, which ultimately impact service users’ participation in the various activities and occupations that provide meaning, purpose, and routine within their everyday lives.

The post is fixed term for 24 months based at Minstead Trust’s offices in Hampshire. 

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

It is essential that applicants already hold (or are very close to completing) a PhD degree in health and social care, or other closely related subject (for example, Occupational Therapy, Disability Studies, Social Work, or Health Sciences). A strong knowledge of, and skillset in, using participatory and co-produced research approaches with marginalised and seldom heard groups is highly desired. Excellent communication skills as well as a proven track record (relative to career stage) of publishing work in a related field are also expected from applicants.

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