SOAS School of Methods inspires students to challenge traditional research methods
Students took part in a new workshop, led by the Department of Politics and International Studies, to explore new approaches in research methods.
Hosting almost 60 students from across the university last month, the School of Methods brought together institutions from around the UK as well as local and renowned international scholars from Germany, the US and Australia.
It was exciting to witness and participate in live academic debates where methodologies were actively challenged and defended in real time.
Kitty Bertrand, studying a MSc in Politics and International Relations at SOAS, said: “Immersing myself in discussions around methodology allowed me to engage more deeply with qualitative methods, particularly around decolonial and critical research frameworks. It was especially exciting to witness and participate in live academic debates where these methodologies were actively challenged and defended in real time.
“A huge thank you to all the incredible scholars for sharing their time and insights, as well as the other early career researchers who made the environment so collaborative.”
Dr Tessa Devereaux , a member of the organising committee from the Department of Politics and International Studies, said: "Working with instructors from around the world and developing research projects with students was such a rewarding experience. Having a space to question conventional research design assumptions felt particularly refreshing, I wish I had a similar opportunity when I was starting my own PhD."
Keynote talks from leading academics raised key points of discussion on how research is designed and carried out, including ethics, political purpose, and more. Students were able to undertake practical exercises alongside this, to develop their understanding in the theory and methodological approaches to ethical research, decolonisation, politics, and gender.
Professor Nicholas Rush Smith, one of the organisers of the initiative said: "Having the opportunity to bring so many students from across the UK to SOAS to understand how the situated approach to knowledge that is the lifeblood of the university's area studies tradition was an incredible privilege."
Dr Tolga Sinmazdemir, another member of the organising committee; hopes to make the SOAS School of Methods a permanent part of the methods training landscape in the UK and beyond. The workshop was supported by the Research Culture Funds, College of Social Sciences, the Political Studies Association and the British International Studies Association.
