Social Transformation and Advocacy through Research - STAR

STAR aims to build the research awareness and capacity of racially minoritised communities at all educational levels, from schools onward, as well as within community settings.

Social Transformation and Advocacy through Research - STAR - is a three-year programme (November 2022-October 2025) developed at the University of East London and the University of Bristol by Gargi Bhattacharyya (now UCL), Winston Morgan (UEL), Dominic Hingorani (UEL), Darren Sharpe (UEL) and Corinne Squire (now SPS, UoB). (See: Social Transformation and Advocacy through Research (STAR) project | University of East London)

STAR is one of 13 programmes that are part of an Office for Students and Research England initiative to promote awareness of and participation in postgraduate research by Black, Asian and minority ethnic students.

Research happens and researchers work in communities as well as in universities. At the University of Bristol, STAR partners with community-based organisations to provide a six-week free online Continuing Professional Development short course, 'Research Design for Social Impact', as well as follow-up mentoring and meetings. The course builds and supports research capacity in community-based organisations, among majority-world staff and volunteers within those organisations. STAR's CPD course works with community-based organisations across Bristol and the south-west, as well as nationally, across the UK.

The STAR CPD course is taught by Dr Jess Oddy of Design for Social Impact (Design for Social Impact), along with University of Bristol graduate students Amanda Chappell, Siza Dube, and Monica Sanchez Hernandez. The course is grounded in Critical Participatory Action Research.

Completion of the STAR CPD course also offers its students the possibility of enrolling on a fee-waived MRes in Social Justice - another part of the STAR programme: MRes Social Justice Courses | University of East London

To find out more about the next STAR CPD course, and to register, please explore more about 'Research Design for Social Impact'.

The course took me to depths and made me understand what research means and how it can be helpful.

Participants found learning about qualitative data collection particularly valuable, as it demystified research processes and made them feel more capable of engaging in research activities. Understanding the importance of involving those being researched was eye-opening, emphasising the significance of community engagement in research endeavours.

I have got an idea about the critical thinking aspect of research

Participants gained a better understanding of research methodologies and the opportunities they present. They recognized the importance of involving community members in research processes, highlighting a shift in perspective towards more participatory and inclusive approaches...Participants intend to approach any future research endeavours with more informed eyes, reflecting a commitment to incorporating these research principles into their work.

I developed a habit of reflecting on my own biases and assumptions. The course taught me to critically assess my role as a researcher and the potential influence my perspectives and background might have on the research outcomes.

The course influenced participants' perspectives on research for social action by emphasising the significance of community involvement, highlighting opportunities for meaningful engagement, and underscoring the importance of research in driving social change.

I have gained a lot of experience through ...other people’s opinions and knowledge.

Topics and concepts from the course which participants said were particularly valuable: Research methods and activities; learning from scratch and having a go at qualitative data analysis; topics related to children; picture research; noting down the points which were important to implementation; research’s social impact; awareness of society.

The course has given me a better understanding of what I'm doing, the opportunities I can take advantage of, and how important the involvement of those being researched is.

Social Transformation and Advocacy through Research - STAR

What students on the course say