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SRA North

SRA North

SRA North provides networking events, seminars and other opportunities for professional development for people engaged in social research, in any capacity and across a range of organisations, in the north of England.

SRA North was re-ignited in 2017, and we kicked off by delivering a well-received free evening seminar series. This included presentations from Helen Barnard (Joseph Rowntree Foundation), who spoke in Leeds about Using Geographical Analysis. Ian Wilson (Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam) presented on Challenges and Innovation in Social Research in Sheffield; and our festive gathering heard Sue Heath (Morgan Centre, Manchester University) talk about Innovative Qualitative Methods in Manchester. The slides from our previous events are on the SRA website - here.

In 2018 we are offering a broader programme of activities. In April we held a panel event on secondary data analysis in Liverpool with three fantastic speakers, and we are planning an early career researcher event, a shadowing scheme, further seminars and a special event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the SRA.


SRA North Job Shadowing Scheme

We are pleased to announce the launch of the SRA North Job Shadowing Pilot Scheme for SRA members.

This is a learning and development opportunity, for social researchers at any point in their career, to have the chance to find out what jobs social researchers in the North are doing, what organisations they are working in, and to build relationships with others in the social research community.

Here is a Powerpoint with an overview of the SRA North Job Shadowing pilot scheme, a Powerpoint deck with details of the available opportunities, and a preferences form for those who are interested in taking part .

This is the first time the SRA has offered a job shadowing scheme, and is being run on a pilot basis. We will be collecting feedback from those who take part, and will make a decision on whether to roll out at the end of the year.

Places are limited - so get your form in ahead of the deadline if you are interested in taking part!

What is a job shadowing placement?

  • Job shadowing is a development opportunity where individuals can get to learn about a particular job role or organisation by walking through the work day or certain work tasks of someone in that role or organisation.
  • Participants will be match to a host organisation to complete a shadowing placement. Participants do not undertake any work or formal training for the host organisation.
  • For this pilot placements will be short - half- to one-day, arranged at a mutually convenient time for the host and the shadower.

Overview of the scheme

  • Those interested in undertaking a shadowing scheme to submit the preferences form by end of April 2019;
  • Participants will be matched to placements;
  • Once the participant and the host organisation have confirmed they are happy with the placement, they will be put in contact to arrange the placement;
  • Placements should take place by the end of September 2019; we will be asking participants to write a short blog piece about their experience for the SRA website and/or Research Matters magazine; and
  • The SRA North group will collect feedback from those who took part in the scheme and review whether to roll out in the future.
  • Privacy notice

The SRA North Job Shadowing Pilot Scheme is only open to SRA members. You can find out more about becoming an SRA member and the various benefits here

For any questions about the SRA North Job Shadowing Pilot, please contact sranorth@gmail.com.

Kind regards,

Leanne Dew
SRA North Group Committee


SRA North Committee

The current SRA North committee is formed of researchers from a range of sectors and organisations. We meet roughly once a quarter to arrange events. We are always happy to welcome new members to the committee, and so if you are interested in getting involved do get in touch. We are particularly looking for any researchers in the North East to help us broaden our committee membership. We also welcome any ideas and suggestions for events or seminars you’d like you see.

T: @SRANorth

E: sranorth@gmail.com