Past Events
The below is just some of the events that have been run at Methods North West and our associated teams at our partner Universities between 2025 – 2026.
This year’s Thursday lunchtime seminars can be found here.
2026
Lost and Found In Translation Conference
10 June 2026 @ 9:30am – 5:00pm
Confirmed Guest Speaker Rebecca Tipton, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Translation & Intercultural Studies, Modern Languages & Cultures (MLC), The University of Manchester.
Research is never neutral. Neither is a researcher. The shifting relationships between academic research and wider society have led to the methods of research and the positionalities of researchers often garnering as much interest as the end findings of projects themselves (Tattersall & Spears 2025). While the act of translation is integral to many projects, translation in qualitative and/or interview-based research remains, in many instances, “a cultural and political activity often conducted in imbalanced settings” (Laaksonen 2022). As such, whether a researcher is a Translation Studies scholar or not, they are still compelled to reflect upon cross-language practices and ethics of translation in their work. Such reflections are often carried out with little initial information to hand. This situation urgently calls for an examination of current landscapes of cross-language scholarship and of how scholars, specifically early career researchers, navigate what is ‘lost’ (or found) in their projects due to cross-language mediations and translation becoming part of the work.
Researchers from the north-west area and beyond are invited to present papers on their projects, all of which concern diverse formats of cross-language research. The conference also focuses on the future of cross-language innovation, the where and the why of how scholarly findings may be lost, or found in translation: what are the borders of (inter-disciplinary) approaches to translation, transcription and multi-language mediation? Why are the challenges of cross-language research on constant flux? Where do we go from here?
This day will include a mix of speakers and panels from a range of disciplines and languages, with opportunities to network and make new connections.
The onsite conference (Wed. 10th June) is for ECRs connected to the five universities of Keele, Lancashire, Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester and who are based in the UK.
Free vegan lunch and refreshments provided.
Presenting scholars residing in the north-west methods region will have their travel costs covered. Presenting scholars based in the region but outside Manchester will have their overnight stay covered so that they can attend the post-conference dinner (without the worry of late-night local transport).
You do not need to have attended previous workshops to attend the conference. To support broader international participation, the conference will include an additional half-day session (Thurs. 11th June).
This extension is designed to accommodate participants based outside the UK who may face visa, travel, or related logistical constraints. The online session will provide an opportunity for international scholars to engage with the conference and contribute to discussions remotely.
Call for Papers/Posters
The papers/posters can relate, but are not limited, to the following:
–AI/NLP technologies for Translation – Speech Technologies for transcribing cross-language interviews/work – Affect, emotional labour of cross-language research (fieldwork, interviews)
– Cross-language interviews in precarious spaces (censorship, env’t, fieldwork)
– Interviewing groups/individuals who use ‘specialist’ terms – Working with/researching those in the interpreting profession (consecutive, simultaneous, community, ‘elite’, activist, specialised etc.) – Impact of gender, race, and identity in cross-language settings (gendered grammar; geo-political relationalities; language groups; honorifics) –The unexpected arising in cross-language/translation/interpreting settings
Deadline for submitting abstracts: Friday 9th May 2026 (5pm UK time). Decision on acceptance and format of presentation: Friday 16th May 2026.
Methods North West Seminar: Autistic Voices in Higher Education
21 May 2026 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
The Autistic Voices in Higher Education (AViHE) research group gather the lived experiences of autistic students studying in HE, using a novel approach to the World Café method of data collection. The team collect the views, thoughts and experiences of autistic students from HEIs within the UK, with the ultimate goal of ensuring neurodivergent students are well supported throughout their degrees, whilst also addressing the awarding gap and retention of autistic students within HE.
The key focus of this session will be to showcase a creative data collection method, demonstrating the benefits of the method, participant feedback regarding the data collection method, and key considerations when using this form of data collection.
We will showcase some of the creative ways in which the AViHE group continue to disseminate their research to a range of stakeholders and will also share some of the key findings from our recent studies.
Register here
AI Data Analytics: A M@M summer school taster
23 April 2026 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Join Dr Ali Hassanzadeh of the Centre for AI and Decision Sciences (AID) for a taster of the upcoming AI Data Analytics summer school course
Are you considering joining the methods@manchester AI Driven Analytics course at The University of Manchester (6-8 July)?
This Methods NW seminar is a taster session where you will get the opportunity to meet the team, learn more about the course, help you understand which tools exist, what they are good for, and how they can be applied to your own research projects.
Register here
L&FIT: Technologies of Translation
April 9 2026 @ 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Ethics and practicalities of working with multi-lingual data – Workshop 2 of the L&FIT Series
In the age of AI and multiple digital tools available to researchers across many borders, we are often faced with the question of how to deal with the cross-language data from a technical perspective. How can we represent our findings in the most accurate, nuanced of ways to both lay readers and experts alike? What do we do with different ‘sizes’ of cross-language data? What security and confidentiality do different cross-language platforms actually offer to a researcher based in a higher education institution?
In this workshop, you will learn how to use open-source technologies to transcribe audio and video data, translate transcripts from one language to another, and manage multilingual transcriptions. We assume no prior programming knowledge; the workshop is designed to show you how open-source AI tools and machine learning models can be used for translation work regardless of your technical background. You will gain practical experience in setting up your own workflows: from processing a small number of audio recordings locally on your own laptop, to understanding how to use university-provided cloud computing infrastructure (such as N8 CIR) for those working with larger datasets.
Full details: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/gQz7GdFEt2BY5
Register here
Qualitative Interviewing: Developing Confidence in Approach and Analysis
March 26 2026 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Join Dr Gail Hebson for a taster of the upcoming Qualitative Interviewing summer school course.
Thinking of joining the Qualitative Interviewing summer school course this July?
Gail will introduce some of the topics and activities planned the summer school. There will also be chance to talk to Gail and ask questions so that you can get a sense of whether this summer school is the right fit for you.
Register here
Creative Approaches to Qualitative Research: A M@M summer school taster
March 19 2026 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Taster session for ‘Creative Approaches to Qualitative Research’ prior to the 2026 methods@manchester Summer School
Are you considering joining the Creative Approaches to Qualitative Research summer school course at The University of Manchester (6-8 July) ?
This Methods NW seminar is a taster session where you will get the opportunity to meet The Morgan Centre team, learn more about the course, the different creative approaches included and how the summer school course could benefit your research.
The course team will introduce some of the activities that will be delivered during the summer school and outline the opportunities that course attendees will have to discuss methodological issues related to their own ongoing research projects.
There will also be chance to speak with the course lead and ask questions so that you can get a sense of whether this summer school is the right fit for you.
Register here
Digital Methods: A M@M summer school taster
March 5 2026 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Are you considering joining the methods@manchester Digital Methods summer school course at The University of Manchester (6-10 July)?
This Methods NW seminar is a taster session where you will get the opportunity to meet The Digital Humanities team, learn more about the course, the different digital methods included and how the summer school course could benefit your research.
Register here
Mixed Methods in Social Network Analysis: A M@M summer school taster
February 26 2026 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Are you considering joining the methods@manchester Mixed Methods in Social Network Analysis summer school course in July?
This Methods NW seminar is a taster session where you will get the opportunity to meet the team, learn more about the course, how mixed methods can be used in social network research and how the summer school course could benefit your research.
Register here
L&FIT: Minding the Gaps in Translation
5 February 2026 @ 10:00am – 1:00pm
Workshop 1 in the Lost & Found In Translation Series.
For full details: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/HsA63XSkMlUji
The What: what is translation? The term is used so fluidly across different disciplines and languages that the issue of translation often appears very confusing, particularly for a researcher new to cross-language interviewing and data gathering. What gaps, or issues, of translation then should a researcher consider before planning cross-language work?
Why is the (lone) early career researcher so often left to work things out for themselves? What happens if there are no previous studies that seem to relate to the project in hand?
In this workshop, we explore these questions and share in-depth insights into which theoretical and applied approaches within translation studies can help researchers orientate their project and plan their data gathering accordingly. We assume no prior knowledge in translation studies: the workshop is designed to help you navigate the many issues facing your project, particularly if it falls across diverse disciplines, languages and institutions, each with their own frameworks – and sensitivities- of academic knowledge.
Beyond the critical relevance of contemporary translation, interpreting and inter-cultural studies (TIS) we focus on the realities of using ‘theoretical’ (TIS) concepts to configure and collate data, as a researcher moves through different stages of their project.
There will be a refreshment break including tea/coffee and vegan biscuits/pastries.
Register here
Researching with care: the importance of flexible methods in research with disabled, chronically ill people, and beyond
29 January 2026 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Poppy Budworth, University of Liverpool.
This Methods North West seminar draws on care-full research with young people with an ostomy, focusing on the importance of flexible methods when working with disabled and/or chronically ill people and demonstrating them as useful tools in qualitative research more broadly.
Flexible methods – such as asynchronous interviews – prioritise participants’ choices, comforts, and capacities. Asynchronous methods happen over-time and in participants own time, instead of through one off research events. Through the implementation of flexible methods, research can fit in and around people’s lives and bodies in ways that do not expend more energy than participants have to offer.
In this seminar we will discuss how research methods can be made more bendable, how asynchronous methods offer this flexibility, and how these kinds of care-full approaches can benefit researchers as well as participants.
If you have any questions before this session, please contact Poppy Budworth at p.budworth@liverpool.ac.uk.
Register here
2025
The Methodological, Ethical and Safeguarding Challenges of Researching Mixed and Mutable Extremism
December 28 2025 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Dr Laura Naegler, University of Liverpool.
Researching (online) mixed and mutable extremism such as Incel, misogynistic, far right ideologies and conspiracy theories, and with this environments in which hate speech and violence are endorsed and promoted, comes with several risks and challenges.
Researchers have to grapple with practical and moral dilemmas surrounding accessing hard-to-reach and potentially vulnerable populations, whilst also navigating complex University ethical approval processes.
Researching mixed and mutable extremism also comes with psychological and safeguarding challenges. The exposure to hateful content is emotionally taxing and can impact on researchers’ mental health. Researchers have to face the risks of doxing and online/offline harassment by those promoting hate. This risk is significantly heightened for female(-presenting), queer, trans, gender-nonconforming, and racialised researchers. Postgraduate and early career researchers here face the additional challenge of maintaining safety while also developing the online professional visibility required to succeed in the academic job market.
Drawing on qualitative interviews with academic researchers working in the field of mixed and mutable extremism, this seminar will discuss the strategies that researchers utilise to navigate emotional, psychological and personal safety risks. By doing so, it will also address the dangers of individualising risk management and self-care, and highlight the importance of institutional responsibility in supporting and protecting researchers.
Register here
Using Mixed Methods in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Research: Current State and Future Directions
December 11 2025 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
A Methods North West Lunchtime Session with Witold Bahr.
Using mixed methods in logistics and supply chain management research: current state and future directions with Dr Witold Bahr, Keele University.
Mixed methods research is useful to enhance theoretical and practical research contributions. However, single methods have predominated much logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) research. This paper presents a review of mixed methods research across ten years in LSCM to determine their usage, identify benefits and inhibitors, and provide suggestions for LSCM researchers to realise the benefits from using mixed methods.
Register here
Writing and Researching Differently through Fictocriticism
December 4 2025 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
A Methods North West Lunchtime Seminar, with Mark Gatto (Northumbria University).
Research on gender, work and organisation owes a great debt to founding scholarship, yet the majority of writing continues to reproduce the norms of an academia that is dominated by a masculine sensibility for convention. The field of gender studies is often understood through lenses of identity, power, and systems. Yet, though we can stand on the foundations of sophisticated scholarly theorising, we do not see corollary advances in societal attitudes and outcomes. This is particularly true for parents and carers.
In recent years, more scholarship has turned to embodied writing, embracing messiness and blurring lines between empirical and personal data. This session will provide one such personal narrative of undertaking and pursuing a form of research/writing that aspires to a critical and boundary blurring writing, grounded in masculinities theory and empirical data, while also developing a style that aligns with fictions that move and inspire us. The session will include the use of the Dystopian fiction genre to undertake unconventional research through empirical data generated with parents about their experiences and expectations of parenthood at work. I will outline how I used dystopian fiction to inform my Critical Discourse Analysis. I will share how I plotted and planned the writing of a Fictocriticism in the style of the dystopian genre to subvert the persistence of patriarchal norms for parents at work. Finally, I will share how the resistance embedded in the genre inspired my ongoing work with parents and carers networks.
Register here
MethodsLab: Listening to the non-speaking experience
7 November 2025 @ 11:00am – 4:30pm
A full-day event bringing together academics, parents, educational practitioners and non-speaking neurodiverse young people.
This MethodsLab is a full-day event at the University of Manchester focused on developing ethical and effective qualitative methods for including non-speaking neurodiverse young people in research. Bringing together academics, practitioners, parents, and autistic young adults (18+), it will feature talks, posters, and hands-on activities to explore and test different approaches. Co-created with neurodiverse participants, the event will produce inclusive research guidelines and foster a collaborative community of practice.
03 Nov – ADDITIONAL DIETARY REQUESTS CANNOT BE ACCOMODATED (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food will be available)
Full Description
The MethodsLab will tackle the methodological and ethical challenges of qualitatively eliciting the voices of non-speaking neurodivergent young people. Hosted at the University of Manchester, this a collaborative event between academics, parents, practitioners, and young people.
The day will feature lightning talks and hands-on sessions. A key outcome will be the co-construction of research guidelines with neurodivergent young people, ensuring recommendations are inclusive and grounded in lived experience.
Ultimately, the MethodsLab aims to foster methodological innovation and build a community of practice that empowers researchers to include non-speaking neurodivergent young people ethically and effectively in qualitative research.
Talking Mats
Talking Mats is a social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties by increasing their capacity to think about and communicate effectively about things that matter to them. Our innovative, award-winning communication tool is based on extensive research and was designed by Speech and Language Therapists. See the Talking Mats website.
Digital Stories
‘I am’ Digital Stories is an inclusive, strengths-based method for enabling the voices of children and young people, especially those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to be shared within their transitions. This method uses digital filmmaking processes to create a short (3-5 minute) video with the child or young person so that they can contribute their perspectives to transition planning. See the Digital Stories website.
This event is supported by a MethodsLab grant from Methods North West
Visualising Multivariate Data with Topological Data Analysis Ball Mapper
October 9 2025 @ 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Dr Simon Rudkin, University of Manchester
Data visualisation is a core component of the empirical process, from data exploration to the evaluation of models. However, visualising datasets with many continuous variables is challenging. To see the shape of data, scatter plots (and their derivatives) are the go-to graphics. Considering each variable as a dimension on the page, we are limited to two directions, with other variables needing to be captured in size or colour. Many solutions to viewing multi-dimensional data involve loss of information in dimensionality reduction, or combine many plots of subsets of variables.
Topological Data Analysis Ball Mapper is a means to create an abstract two-dimensional visualisation of multivariate data without loss of information. A motivation for the method, outline of the algorithm, and look at the research agenda developing the method are provided. This seminar explains why we all need to consider the structure of our data and place data visualisation at the core of our empirical analyses.
This is a precursor to a methods@manchester workshop on Topological Data Analysis Ball Mapper, which will run later in the Autumn.
Register here
Stitching at the End of the World – MNW
September 12 2025 @ 10:00am – 4:00pm
A one-day workshop to carry out a collaborative stitching programme.
A one-day workshop to carry out a collaborative stitching programme. Inspired by the art project Kill Your Phone https://killyourphone.com/, an open workshop format.
The day will involve the hands-on sewing of phone pouches using EMS fabric (a Faraday material) that shields devices from electromagnetic signals. During the workshop, participants will engage with notions of cybersecurity, personal privacy, the future of digital technology, and the application of ‘smart textiles’.
The workshop will open dialogues about the implications of future fabrics, the possibilities they offer and possible other applications in our digital world. This event will promote the application of craft-making as a methodological device for participants to engage with contemporary and pressing discourses within academia and current affairs.
Materialising the interdisciplinary collaboration between material sciences, craft and anthropology, it will explore how seemingly intangible topics such as radio signals, technological and cellular eavesdropping, voice recognition, and GPS tracking can be engaged with creatively through making practices.
This workshop is for PGRs only.
Register here