Job Description: Research Assistant (participatory toolkit: engaging with young communities)
The aim is to produce a toolkit designed to help researchers and practitioners to employ participatory methods when working with young people. The research assistant will also be working alongside researchers and stakeholders to understand ‘youth voice,’ youth social action and solutions to issues facing young Londoners.
The toolkit will draw on our experiences of participatory research with and for young people; especially, the process of involving young people as peer researchers (16- to 25-year-olds) within our existing ‘Youth Social Action’ project commissioned by the Greater London Authority. In addition to analyse the findings, the young steering group members challenge us methodologically and epistemologically, and have thus developed innovative approaches and methods that not only will enhance the research, but also make the ‘Youth Social Action’ project more meaningful, empowering and engaging to the young people involved.
The project consists of two components: (1) research with Key Stage 3 students (12- to 14-year-olds) where the key part of the qualitative data is collected through school workshops; and, (2) research with 16- to 25-year-olds, where the data is collected through interactive activities, as part of the ‘Young Changemakers’ event, scheduled to take place on 12 July 2024 at London Metropolitan University.
QualificationsThis is a great opportunity for a graduate student or PGR student who want to further develop skills around academic research (qualitative), writing and delivering of school workshops.
SkillsTo support this project, we need two research assistants to support us with the following tasks:
Conduct desk-based research
- Help capture the youth participatory approach applied on the project.
- Undertake literature searches as appropriate, and a literature review around participatory research involving young people.
- Assist in the analysis of qualitative data, as directed by the research leads.
- Summarise the key findings of the activities.
Presentation of findings
- Assist with the presentation of findings.
- Participate in the documentation of the results arising from research activity.
- Contribute towards the publication of the toolkit.
Planning and managing resources
- Work to deadlines and manage competing priorities, with direction as appropriate from project leads.
University/school profile
- As appropriate, liaise with relevant internal and external contacts/organisations in related areas of study.
Delivery of project
- Assist with planning and delivery of an event, taking place at London Metropolitan University, where the aim is to run fun, interactive research activities for 16- to 25-year-olds.
- Assist with planning and delivery of two workshops for Key Stage 2 students, scheduled to take place in a school in Camden, London, on 15 and 16 July, 2024.
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