Breakouts PM - choose 1 from the below when you register

Learning partnerships - Council Chamber

 

The rise and rise of the learning partnership
What is a learning partnership and why are they suddenly so popular?   In this session, I will share my experiences and observations of the key features of a learning partnership, the differences and similarities with conventional evaluations, and critical reflections on what makes a good learning partnership between researchers/research organisations and charities.
Sohila Sawhney – Barnardo’s 

More than research? Using ‘soft’ skills and wider experience in learning partnerships
Building an effective learning partnership involves a range of different skills – some technical (e.g. research, analysis, knowledge of the policy or sector context) and some that are typically categorised as ‘softer’ (e.g. facilitation, building reflective spaces, supporting collaboration and the development of relationships). Balancing the different roles can be a challenge and involve the active use of very different skill sets. This session draws out learning around this, and presents some practical ways to address these challenges.
Miranda Lewis - m2 Consultants

 

Using tech to engage young people - Dorchester Library

 

Methods for enhanced engagement: exploring Gen Z perspectives on Net Zero
In a mixed-method study exploring young people's perspectives on the impact of the journey to net zero, we worked toward informed and engaged participants. We recruited young people through friendship triads and set diversity quotas. We will present insights from using TikTok-influencer videos, peer-to-peer online approaches and conducting an AI chatbot-enabled survey to understand how views differ across the population.
Dr Asimina Vergou – Co-o Foundation, Dan Clay - Basis Social with Eric Laurence

Capturing the apprentice voice throughout their apprenticeship journey
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has developed a unique rolling approach to gathering feedback across the apprenticeship family with results reported in real time.  Automated  tools and reporting replace previous multiple set-piece surveys; with automatic distribution of questionnaires via our management information system and ‘live’ reporting using PowerBi. It has already had over 22,000 responses; making it the largest apprenticeship survey in the UK. 
Denis Donoghue & Diana Rybochkina - Skills Development Scotland

 

Inclusive by design - Seligman Theatre

 

Approaches to aligning trauma-informed practice with considerations of equity, diversity and inclusion
This presentation considers the importance of aligning trauma-informed practice with approaches to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion when doing social research. The presenters will highlight the objectives and importance for doing this, as well as share some of the learnings and challenges they have experienced. They will provide some practical tips on how to embed these ways of working for yourself/your organisation.
Dr Holly Taylor-Dunn & Skye Curtis – MEL Research


Designing inclusive research to explore barriers and facilitators for ONS survey participation
This presentation discusses how researchers at the Office for National Statistics adopted an inclusivity-led approach to facilitate participation from members of the public who have a visual impairment, are D/deaf or hard of hearing, or are neurodivergent. The process involved consulting with condition-specific advisory groups, working with voluntary sector organisations, researcher training, and adjustments to the interview approach.
Alice Robinson & Steffi Giji – ONS

 

Behavioural experiments - Linacre & Sloane Room

 

Using an online behavioural experiment to explore how to communicate complex changes in energy tariffs to consumers
This presentation will summarise Ofgem’s online behavioural experiment exploring how to communicate changes to the Energy Price Cap to consumers. The experiment was built around Bloom’s Taxonomy a hierarchical model of learning which evaluates levels of comprehension, increasing in degrees of complexity at each level.
Freddie Herbert – Ofgem

Is it possible to test children’s age declarations in online experiments?
As part of its Online Safety Act duties, Ofcom is working to introduce mitigations to protect children online, with a priority to identify child users through honest age declarations at sign-up - a known challenge. Through a pilot RCT in a mock social-media platform, Ofcom evidences the efficacy to trial real-world online behaviours in an experiment. We present findings, challenges, and lessons learnt.
Nicola Sides - Ofcom

 

Forging careers in social research: Insights from social researchers of colour - Platt Room

 

Social Researchers of Colour (SROC) is a professional network of over 60 researchers. We meet online every month for peer support and to learn about careers across research sectors. In this panel session, we'll dive into the real-life stories of ethnic minority researchers who have navigated and thrived in predominantly white research organisations. Our speakers will share their own journeys, the hurdles they've jumped, the triumphs they've celebrated, and with their top tips and advice for forging a long career. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and network with the panel. If you're an up-and-coming researcher looking to make your mark in social research or a leader looking for tips to better support ethnic minority researchers, this session is for you!
Shivonne Gates – Impact and Evaluation Lead, at Frontline,  LaShanda Seaman – Associate Director at Ipsos UK,  Vicky Cummings – Senior UX consultant and Nomensa, Bethany Thompson – Senior Race Equality Project Officer at Mind UK &  Anna Heltmann – Associate Director at Verian