1st Qualitative Research Methods seminar at the FSBS, Utrecht University

The Faculty Network for Qualitative Research, situated at the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, extends a warm invitation to the inaugural seminar of our Network, an afternoon filled with new, creative, innovative qualitative research practices and a site to discuss our place as qualitative researchers in academia.

The event will happen on 16 May 2024 at the Event room in the Langeveld building (room E1.06, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht) from 13:00 until 17:00 h, followed by a borrel (drinks) in the same venue.

We offer an afternoon of keynote speeches, Q&As, and discussions.

Invited keynote speakers are:

• Prof. dr. Nanna Verhoeff (Media & Culture Studies) is professor of Screen Cultures & Society. Her current research focuses on the development of concepts and methods for the analysis of performative technologies, situated arts and media, and urban interfaces. She is (co-) initiator of the Open Cities Platform for the strategic theme Institutions for Open Societies at Utrecht University.
• Prof. dr. Ajay Bailey (Human Geography and Spatial Planning) is professor of Social Urban Transitions. He is a core-team member of the Open Cities Platform and co-ordinates the Transdisciplinary Centre for Qualitative Methods – a joint initiative with Manipal University. He leads the research line Global Migration, Culture and Place working at the interface of anthropology, geography, demography, and public health.
• Prof. dr. Mara Yerkes (Interdisciplinary Social Science) is professor in Comparative Social Policy. Her research centres on the two broad themes of comparative social policy and social inequalities. She is the principal investigator of the European Research Council (ERC) project CAPABLE, a mixed-methods comparative study on gender inequalities in work-life balance in eight European countries. She is currently co-chair of the European Social Policy Analysis Network (ESPAnet).
• Prof. dr. Annette Markham (Media & Culture Studies) is professor of Media, Literacy and Public Engagement and former director of the Digital Ethnography Research Centre (Australia). Her research concerns the impact of digitalization on identity and organizing practices. She also studies research methodologies to devise ethical models for speculative, mixed-method, ethnographic, and multi-entity research design. Founder of the Future Making Research Consortium, a network of researchers bringing industry and academia together to building possible futures.
• Dr. Sigrid Merx (Media and Culture Studies) is an associate professor in Theatre Studies. Her current research focuses on the dramaturgy of contemporary socially engaged theatre and performance practices, in particular performative interventions in public space. She is part of the UU research platforms ‘[urban interfaces]’ and Creative Urban Methods and community member of the Creative Humanities Academy.

Our invited keynote speakers will tell us about their experiences and learnings employing creative and innovative qualitative and mixed-methods research strategies, followed by Q&As, and discussions. During these activities, attendees will be invited to discuss pathways for enhancing the quality of our research practices and the types of organizational support required for this.

Above all, this seminar aims to serve as a platform for qualitative researchers within our university to come together and exchange experiences in conducting qualitative research.

Join us for an inspiring day of exploration, dialogue, and community building as we collectively chart the course for advancing our qualitative research practices.

Please use the following link to register for the event and indicate to us if you would like to also attend the borrel: Registration form.