Qualitative Open Mic: What Counts as Qualitative Research? Episode 2
What counts as qualitative research?
This series looks at what counts as qualitative research, and how we can learn from different perspectives. This podcast series aims to provoke debate and challenge assumptions around how we do qualitative research and why. It encourages innovation by drawing on practices from outside the academic field. We speak with a philosopher, youth worker, film director, podcast host and journalist about their work, thinking about the parallels and differences with qualitative research. We want to broaden our ideas about what qualitative research is and can be.
This episode:
Nathaniel Martin talks about his role at KCL as community research coordinator, a partnership role between the Centre for Society and Mental Health, and Black Thrive, an organisation that advocates for systems change around mental health for the lives of black people.
· He reflects on his work as a youth worker, sports development and BMX cycling coach, and how these can roles all required qualitative research skills. Comparing the research he did in these roles to the research he is currently doing his KCL research around stop and search.
· He ends with a discussion on challenges of making change through the stop and search research he is carrying out, linking up with campaigning groups, influencing police practice and honestly representing the ideas of young people.