They also debate whether the professional bodies' preference for academic research undermines the practical expertise developed through experience. The hosts urge professional bodies and universities to recognise the unique contributions and rigour of practitioner research and advocate for a balanced approach that values both practitioner insight and academic rigour.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:58 Current Trends in Research

02:12 The Value of Practitioner Research

06:41 Evolution of Research Practices

13:23 Challenges and Snobbery in Academia

17:48 Professional Bodies and Research Standards

29:02 Concluding Thoughts

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

They reflect on the historical context of education before and after Blair's policies, the shift from an elitist to a more democratised system, and the impact of massification on the purpose and quality of higher education.

Topics include the balance between teaching and research, the rise of corporate universities, the financial pressures on institutions, and the erosion of critical thinking standards. They also touch on the role universities play in social mobility, freedom of speech, and the subversive pursuit of knowledge. The episode ends with a call for innovative thinking and new models to address contemporary challenges in the education sector.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:28 Challenges in Higher Education

01:09 Historical Context of Higher Education

06:04 Modern Apprenticeships and Corporate Universities

07:22 Financial Burdens and Social Mobility

09:43 Philosophy of Education and Critical Thinking

15:22 Administrative Changes and Their Impact

25:03 Optimism and Future Directions

37:28 Conclusion and Farewell

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

They explore how to make academic texts engaging and accessible. They discuss the importance of clarity, argument development, and the effective use of writing as a tool for inquiry.

Their conversation also touches on common challenges and strategies for maintaining the reader's interest.

Practical tips on thesis structuring, the role of technology and software, and the balance between methodology and narrative are highlighted. The episode offers valuable insights for students and researchers aiming to enhance their academic writing skills.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:33 The Importance of Academic Writing

01:39 Engaging Your Audience

03:45 Writing Techniques and Styles

04:21 Grant Writing Insights

05:08 Challenges in Academic Writing

11:29 Using Tools and Technology in Research

16:22 The Writing Process

18:19 Developing Arguments Through Writing

33:47 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

They delve into the historical and contemporary factors affecting our perception of truth, including the role of propaganda, herd mentality, and the construction of knowledge. The discussion emphasises the importance of critical thinking, examining biases, and maintaining a sense of wonder in research. They also touch on topics like the evolution of scientific knowledge, the impact of social media, and the significance of engaging with differing viewpoints to gain a fuller understanding of complex issues.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:23 The Challenge of Finding Truth

01:00 Historical Perspective on Truth

03:17 The Role of Propaganda

05:10 Bias and Herd Mentality

06:18 Scientific Misconceptions

07:54 The Evolution of Knowledge

10:16 The Importance of Critical Thinking

14:58 Research vs. Debate

18:43 The Power of Perspective

22:34 Scientific Communication and Public Perception

24:00 Exploring Radiation and Bias

24:59 The Role of Discontinuous Thinking in Research

25:42 The Importance of Practical Research

27:16 Critical Thought and Experimentation

29:44 The Influence of Social Media and AI

30:41 Understanding Confirmation Bias

31:16 The Power of Diverse Perspectives

36:30 Historical Context and Propaganda

41:51 Qualitative Research and Lived Experiences

46:49 Action Research and Practical Applications

48:01 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Subjects include:

• Ethics in Social Science Research
• Informed Consent and Research Integrity
• Record-Keeping
• Authenticity in Research
• Neurodiversity
• Empathy and Understanding in Research

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Subjects covered include:.

• Research Question and Methodology
• Effective Research Time Management Strategies
• Career Choices and Research Challenges
• Jiameng's Research and Supervisory Guidance - emphasising the importance of not seeking right or wrong answers, but rather finding appropriate solutions. She also highlighted the value of having a supervisor to guide her through the research process. Annette agreed, noting the importance of thinking differently and exploring various perspectives.

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Subjects covered include:

• Technology
• Understanding the need for research to demonstrate its impact and contribution to knowledge
• The ’story’
• A checklist for practical application including how to build a 'buzz' in your potential audience

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Key themes include:

• Addressing Data Collection and Analysis Challenges
• Exploring Tools for Data Collection and Collaboration
• Online Research Tools and Personal Interviews Discussion
• Data Analysis Tools and Privacy Concerns
• Excel for Data Analysis and Manual Coding
• Coding Systems and Writing Tools
• Exploring AI for Writing and Proofreading
• AI in Research and Creativity Discussion

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on what sources of evidence led them to make recent changes in their practice and what evidence would be compelling enough to change their practice tomorrow.

Discussing Evidence in Research Contexts

Discussing Evidence in Research and Drug Trials

Discussing Levels of Evidence in Research

Small Case Studies, Design, and Technology Readiness

Supplements, Evidence-Based Medicine, and Politics

Persuasive Argument Components Discussed

Addressing Bias Mitigation in Research

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Defining Knowledge Goals in Research

Types of knowledge

Decision-Making

Types of Knowledge and Their Role in Research

Epistemology and Knowledge Measurement System

Professional Bodies, Knowledge, and Evidence

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Formulating a research question and learning when to adapt it

Comparative research questions

Impact and Evaluation

Beginning data collection

Crafting a well-crafted proposal for a university

Action Research

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Just summarising some of the key themes discussed so far….

Making sure you have the basics in place

Getting a structure and using mind maps or diagram

Research logs

Bibliography Software

Different pots of research authority

Criticality

Using sounding boards

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Where to find sources of literature

Using libraries

Different types of literature and validity

Finding themes and areas to explore

References and how to save time and effort

How to read a paper efficiently

Keeping notes and staying organised

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

This week Professor Annette Fillery Travis and Dr Russell Thackeray talk about Literature Reviews.

What’s the conversation about and how to you learn it, add to it and respond to future enhancements?

What’s out there?

What are different perspectives?

How are people talking about and how?

How to use the literature to keep you on track and keep you motivated

What is the interplay between academia and practice?

Different type of lit reviews

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

They underscore the importance of research in surpassing routine and fostering personal growth, stressing the necessity of a critical perspective towards underlying assumptions in established research projects and personal assumptions. Annette also highlights the potential of research to challenge societal norms and professional practices. Both agreed on the necessity of persistence, flexibility, and continuous examination and refinement of assumptions throughout the research process.

They cite the idea of a scientist being "free of concepts", which means being open to new ideas and not being wedded to preconceived notions. They also discuss the concept of "making the familiar strange", which involves questioning established concepts and assumptions. They further discussed how concepts could be proven incorrect despite appearing to be correct and the importance of curiosity and skepticism in research.

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

The group had a wide ranging conversation including:

The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, open science, and disseminating research to a broader audience was emphasised, particularly in the context of biology, medicine, and food research. They discuss the challenges and considerations in engaging with open science, including issues related to data privacy, intellectual property, and the need for balance in protecting contributors while ensuring progress. The conversation also touched on the potential benefits of self-publishing, the use of repositories for sharing research materials, and the importance of clear planning, communication, and understanding in small research projects.

They also discuss the changing landscape of research and development. They highlight that whilst there is now greater accountability and competition, there is still room for "big sky thinking" and creativity. The concept of "open science" was also introduced, defined as making research as open as possible while closing it only when necessary. This approach, which is favoured by the European Commission, was contrasted with traditional publishing models, and Sian mentioned that it has led to new alternatives for organisations, including self-publishing.

They also discuss the concept of fair data, which is meaningless without proper documentation, and the importance of data exchange and interaction between specialties. Thet further touch on the role of citizen science in this context, citing examples of successful collaborations in other fields like Astrophysics and Mathematics. They both acknowledged that the current academic assessment process and concerns around data privacy are hindrances to this open science approach.

They also discuss the challenges of predicting the impact of research proposals, with an emphasis on the role of individuals in contributing to open science.

They highlight the value of due consultation and the potential benefits of using creative commons licenses for a more flexible approach to data sharing agreements.

Finally they touch on the challenges and considerations in small research projects, outlining the need for clear planning, communication, and understanding the terms and conditions of existing research tools. Additionally, they deliberated on research impact, policy engagement, and potential future research directions, such as global competency development in China.

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

They also touch on collaborative case studies, and how to deal with Intellectual Property issues.

Annette shares her recent experience from an EU project where everyone was required to produce an estimate of their output's scale, and Annette highlights the importance of getting research out of the lab and into the public domain, as research that sits on a shelf doesn't contribute to knowledge. She also highlights the shift in focus from the number of papers an academic produces to the impact their research has. Finally, she encourages open science and emphasises the role of professional researchers in ensuring their research is used effectively.

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

The various subject areas include:

Authenticity, Objectivity, and Collaboration in Research

Annette's Research Experience and Ethics

Authenticity in Research and Leadership

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Annette presents a simplified conceptual framework for research to designed to help students concentrate on the importance of their research rather than getting lost in methodological details

There should be a clear impact goal for any project or initiative before investing time and energy. They outlines the importance of authenticity and positionality in research including awareness of one’s own biases and how they influence the research process, particularly in STEM.

She explained that all five items: - relevance; purpose; beliefs; congruence, as well as connection and impact - are important and should be equally considered when formulating a research question. Annette also encourages people to consider the type of impact they want to make, whether it be through publications, workshops, or direct sales of their work.

Finally, they stress the importance of authenticity, personal significance, and structure in research. Annette emphasises the need to question assumptions, examine relevance, and challenge personal beliefs. She also highlights the advantages of being part of a community and the value of feedback.

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Annette outlines that research is a systematic inquiry into something of interest, not just an academic pursuit. She points out that everyone is a researcher in some way, as they constantly seek information and solve problems in their daily lives. Annette also highlights the value of research in providing useful information that can be acted upon. They discuss the different types of research, including hypothesis-driven research and research that emerges from a need to understand a particular phenomenon. They agreed that research should serve a purpose and be driven by a passion for discovery and problem-solving.

Annette underscores the need for researchers to defend their choices and assess various viewpoints. They also explore the trend of practitioners engaging in research to verify information and test innovative solutions.

They discuss the value of building upon existing ideas and research rather than starting anew. They note, that while it may seem daunting to encounter similar concepts, it can be reassuring to know others have faced similar challenges. They emphasise the importance of adding individual perspectives and experiences to the ongoing 'conversation' of research, and highlight the usefulness of replicating experiments to ensure the validity of findings. Annette stresses that their goal is to make a contribution to the conversation, rather than simply answering questions.

You can find out more about research coaching and gather some resources at aftassociates.co.uk

Annette Fillery-Travis and Dr Russell Thackeray discuss the evolving dynamics in the field of research and the concept of the ‘Research Box’. Annette shares her insights on the changing academic landscape, emphasising that it presents an opportunity rather than a restriction. They also discuss the importance of both technical and professional skills for researchers, including team collaboration, communication with interdisciplinary groups, securing research grants, and networking.

Annette shares her academic journey that began a little while ago! Her passion for inquiry led her to pursue a Ph.D. Despite initial struggles with no data in her second year. She eventually became a research scientist before shifting her focus to Professional Development. Annette's interest in coaching led her to become the chair and CEO of the Professional Development Foundation. She now works with students and professionals to help them learn and develop in the most suitable format for them.

The discussion emphasises the need for researchers to adapt to the changing research environment and encouraged them to explore available resources. She highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research teams, including academics, communicators, and commercial companies, to address complex societal issues. The discussion concludes with the agreement on the necessity for research to be open, transparent, and accessible to everyone. Annette also stresses the significance of research integrity, transparency, and open science, as well as the role of research ethics.

Lastly, they touch on the topic of coaching and its role in connecting different areas of research and research subjects. They are both passionate coaches and discuss the nature of coaching, specifically in the context of academic research. Annette emphasizes the importance of a coach's role in providing a fresh perspective and creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment for exploration and learning. She also highlights the value of joint publications and the importance of establishing a positive relationship between coach and student. The discussion ended with Annette sharing the website of her new initiative, aftassociates.co.uk which aims to provide support for qualitative research.

It will cover a wide range of subjects including the evolving dynamics in the field of research, emphasizing the importance of team collaboration, communication with interdisciplinary groups, and securing research grants.

Annette shared her academic journey and her experiences from a four-year research project involving early career researchers, stressing the need to shift focus from individual to group-based skills.