Innovative and Inclusive Methods in the Sociology of Health and Wellbeing

Name: Innovative and Inclusive Methods in the Sociology of Health and Wellbeing
Start: 20250923T083000Z
End: 20250923T150000Z

23rd September 2025

The Great Hall

9.30am - 4pm

Creative research can help to overcome limits of conventional methods, by involving more diverse groups and perspectives. However, innovative and creative methods may seem intimidating, or it might be hard to know where to start. This BSA Early Career Forum event invites academics and doctoral candidates to explore possibilities for innovation and creativity within research practice.

The day will combine presentations by experienced panel members, who will share their insights from using innovative and inclusive methods, along with interactive activities, discussion, and networking opportunities. Following the event, participants will have opportunities to continue discussions and collaborations, potentially leading to shared outputs such as blog posts, joint articles, or future workshops, fostering ongoing networks in innovative methods.

This Early Career Forum Regional Event is generously funded by the British Sociological Association (BSA).

Programme

23/09/25
09:30-10:00	Registration and refreshments
10:00-10:40	Welcome and introduction to the day Petra Mäkelä and John Scott
10:40-12:50 (incorporates a comfort break	Innovative and creative research approaches: experiences shared by four panel members: Ian Robson Working with 'affordances' and 'encounters' in researching places and spaces of health Chrissy Buse and David Dobson: Material, visual and sensory methods for participatory research with people living with dementia Andrea Lambell Massage Ethnography - A novel research method to facilitate palliative care research Mandy Cheetham Reflections on using creative methods to raise awareness of the health and social impacts of Universal Credit
12:50-13:45	Lunch
13:45-14:15	Panel discussion and Q&A Exploring ideas shared in the morning presentations
14:15-15:30	Session exploring potential for innovation and creativity within attendees' research
15:30-16:00	Plenary discussion, including ideas for future collaboration
16:00	Close

Presenting Team

John Scott

In the last 25 years, John has worked professionally as a comedian, writer, scriptwriter, comedy writer, and educator, writing for BBC Scotland, Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 4, BBC Newcastle, Keytales Animation Studios, theatre, and film. John has also worked extensively as a workshop facilitator in comedy and drama for nearly 20 years. This has seen him work with universities, youthgroups, mental health services, and more.

Chrissy Buse (University of York)

Chrissy is a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of York. Her research has explored experiences of health, illness and care using material, visual and sensory methods. This includes the ESRC Dementia and Dress project led by Julia Twigg, and she is currently PI on the ESRC funded My Home, My Garden Story project, exploring the everyday experiences of gardens for people living with dementia and their households. She co-organises the research network ‘Materialities of Care’ with Daryl Martin.

David Dobson (University of York)

David completed his PhD in the Department of Sociology at The University of Manchester in 2023. Here he explored the role of secrecy, lies, and intimacy in relationships where one partner is living with dementia. Following from this he has been exploring the use of creative and ethnographic methods when working with people living with dementia and community activist groups, at the intersection of health, local environment, and everyday life.

Andrea Lambell (Durham University)

Andrea gained a PhD in Medical Anthropology at Durham University after a career in journalism followed by another in palliative care as a hospice massage therapist, during which she completed an interdisciplinary BSc (Hons) with the Open University. She is a post-doctoral research associate on a Wellcome-funded project exploring the role of governance in Durham University’s research community. Her research focuses on social justice and embodied communication.

Mandy Cheetham (Northumbria University)

My research interests focus on research and evidence use in public health, knowledge mobilisation, embedded research, qualitative research methods, place-based and community-led approaches to addressing inequalities in health. With Universal Credit claimants involved in a NIHR funded study, we have used arts-based and creative methods, to raise awareness of the health and social impacts of welfare reform and inform policy and practice. 

Ian Robson (Northumbria University)

Ian is a methodological innovator who enables new knowledge and practice change in the fields of collaborative enquiry, social design, and inclusion of marginalised groups. Ian specialises in creating shared spaces of enquiry in which social research evidence, philosophy, social theory, and the visual arts can be applied to complex and dynamic situations, and lived experience.

Organising Team

Kathryn McEwan (Northumbria University)

Kathryn is a Lecturer in Community Wellbeing whose research and teaching centres on end-of-life care, death literacy, and caregiver support. She leads the Better Conversations project, developing inclusive pedagogies for death education in higher education. Her previous work explores how timely, compassionate care and open dialogue can improve experiences for patients, families, and practitioners. As co-founder and co-convenor of the British Sociological Association’s Mid-Career Forum, she fosters collaboration and career development across the sociological community.

Petra Mäkelä (Northumbria University)

I am a  social scientist with a clinical background as a rehabilitation physician. I draw on sociology of health and wellbeing, with a focus on people living with marginalised needs such as cognitive impairment and forced migration. I value inclusive, participatory approaches to research methods and dissemination. 