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New Voices in Research
Throughout these Impact Stories we refer to the ‘co-researchers’. It’s important to understand that this is not a trivial use of jargon – the eighteen minorititsed older adults who are at the centre of CTC are the experts in this field; the term carries with it a collective responsibility for the production and dissemination of knowledge. Part of the role of the University researchers has been to develop methods through which the project could be centred on co-researcher expertise. For example, in early 2022, we held workshops where co-researchers reviewed initial findings that had emerged around their lifecourse and digital cultural participation work, through a series of theme cards and conversations – there are some photos of these workshops to the right. These methods are important because not all the co-researchers necessarily have the tools with which to frame their knowledge in academic terms but, in working together, the research team can support them to fulfil their role; creating opportunities to compress the gap between the traditional positions of researcher and researched. Some co-researchers have also participated individually, creating outputs such as the five blog posts linked to below. Blogging provide an opportunity for co-researchers to speak directly to the public with minimal intervention from the research team. This is but one of a range of digital practices that co-researchers have taken up. Some co-researchers have run their own creative workshops and some have come to conferences and other events. Fanny Eaton-Hall and Ruth Harrison took the stage with Helen Manchester and Alice Willatt at the British Society of Gerontology Conference 2023, Fanny also went to the Healthy Ageing Challenge Conference. Elanora Ferry has spoken at a Age UK event. Throughout the project, co-researchers who have not been able to be at events in person have either appeared online via video link, or have been present through the films that have been produced at every stage of the project.
Blogs:
“I no graduate, I emigrate” – a Story by Ralph Hoyte
A book review of Bolder by Elanora Ferry
Visit to SS Great Britain – Ruth Harrison
