January to March 2023. 12 weeks, flexible on part time or full time.
The CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT) is one of a series of linked projects within the Marginalised Communities Programme within the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health (CSMH) at KCL. This study focuses on Black and other racially minoritised groups, while considering the nature and influence of social networks within and between different racial and minoritised groups and how they contribute to social inequities and subsequent mental health. We will utilise an intersectional perspective, considering how race and ethnicity interact and overlap with other social identities and other protected characteristics such as age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic, and migration status. This project will use a concurrent mixed-methods design, using a participatory approach to knowledge generation in order to optimise benefit for these communities and minimise inherent power-based inequities in more traditional and university-led approaches to research. The overall aim of this research is to investigate and understand the role that social networks and social capital have in promoting thriving and mental health for Black and other ethnically minoritised communities using a Participatory Action Research (PAR)approach. We will also analyse relevant secondary UK quantitative datasets (e.g., South East London Community Health study (SELCoH), Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey(APMS), and Understanding Society) to explore related questions using local and national quantitative data. This includes examining how financial and other insecurities and adversities cluster in communities, and how they are associated with cross-sectional and longitudinal trajectories of mental health.
The student will undertake a range of work in relation to the CONNECT study. This will include, but is not limited to:• assisting with some admin work, such as planning training sessions for peer researchers on the project team;• working on large quantitative data sets, including data cleaning, question generating and analysis• qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews using thematic analysis; • supporting in training peer researchers in research skills such as interviewing techniques and offering general advice and support• writing up a paper for publication together with the research team using previously analysed data.
By joining the CONNECT team to work on this project, the student will benefit from (i) working with a large, interdisciplinary and collaborative team of researchers; (ii)having access to a range of seminars, discussions and training opportunities within the Centre for Society and Mental Health, (iii) practice in academic writing and potential for publication; (iv) learning about participatory research methods; (v) collaboration with external partners, particularly non-academic organisations; (vi) working with peer / community researchers, and assisting in training them in research methods.
The student should have some experience of conducting quantitative and/or qualitative research. This is a mixed methods project, and we will be emphasising work with quantitative data but there may be some involvement with the ongoing qualitative work. Importantly, they should have an awareness of working with marginalised communities and an interest in health equity research.
For information and how to apply contact stephani.hatch@kcl.ac.uk, closing deadlint to apply 12th December 2022.
more information at www.connectstudy.co.uk