DRI's Community Researchers Projects
We are delighted to celebrate 7 remarkable pieces of research that have been carried out by DRI’s team of Community Researchers around issues that matter to them.
DRI delivered an 8-week course to prospective Community Researchers from June to August 2021 facilitated by Dr Yaa Asare, a senior lecturer at the University of Brighton. During the course, the participants learnt about the principles and practice of qualitative research. They carried out interviews and focus groups, transcribed their research data, wrote up their research reports and presented their research.
You can watch a video of their presentations or download individual resources below.
They undertook research in their communities on the following themes:
Alejandra Gonzalez
How do ethnic minorities keep the identity of their country of origin while adapting to the UK?
Audrius Cerkasovas
To what extent is the mental health and wellbeing of Eastern European Migrants connected to music?
Carolyn Baguma
African Diaspora Women: How the third space identity is changing the narrative and relationship with Africa.
Chi Ling Chan
How do older Chinese women residents in East Sussex access information and knowledge to look after their health?
Juliet Batista
How the Portuguese-Speaking Community in Eastbourne has been impacted by the restructuring of the GP practices and the changes in GP booking processes that have happened in the past year?
Mebrak Ghebreweldi
To what extent are UK’s middle-class consumers aware of the global inequalities associated with food production and consumption?
This video presents some of the findings of the seven community researchers who were able to take part in the course, complete their research and present their findings to some members of NHS and Social Services via Zoom:
What is remarkable is that they have completed the course and carried out this research in 8 weeks, while still working on their day jobs. During this time, they committed to meeting on Zoom twice a week to learn about and discuss research principles, and to listen to presentations from dedicated researchers and service providers.
How you can get involved
DRI would like to give special gratitude to Sussex Community Foundation for believing in this idea and for providing initial funding support.
We hope that these research projects resonate with you, that you learn from them, that they challenge you and that they have an impact on attitudes, understanding and practice.
Please consider the possibility of commissioning these Community Researchers to carry out further research.