About the Centre

Welcome the the Centre for Qualitative Research is based at Bournemouth University. This Research Centre is part of The School of Health & Social Care. We have considerable expertise in research approaches and programmes that aim to improve the everyday lives of health and social care service users and citizens.

We are proud to have achieved both national and international recognition for contributing to the field of qualitative health and social care research, and are known for hosting national and international conferences, presentations and workshops of world renowned scholars in this area. The School's feedback from the RAE 2001 positively acknowledged the emphasis on qualitative research that was in evidence within the submission.

By establishing a Centre in Qualitative Research we formally acknowledge a history of achievements and expertise which serves as a focus for emerging developments in:

• Humanising Health and Social Care
• Novel and Innovative Research Methodologies
• Performative Social Science

Vision

With the increasing specialisation of health and social care, it is important to offer scholarship and knowledge that emphasises ‘insider views’ of lives lived within their social, environmental and systemic contexts.  As such, scholarship and knowledge produced by qualitative research approaches are  particularly conducive to care that views health and illness as complex, grounded in the seamlessness of peoples everyday lives, and not easily reducible to simple diagnostic categories or discreet typologies. This kind of knowledge contributes to the task of judgement-based practices that are able to integrate evidence with unique life histories and social contexts. 

Our activities are well-placed to support the University’s and School’s strategic plans by offering high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals, achieve success in peer-reviewed funding applications, provide cutting-edge enterprise and knowledge-transfer opportunities through hosting international conferences and master classes, significantly contribute to doctoral student completions, and engage in activities that enhance an academically-led, collegial culture.

Purpose and Value-base:

1. To pursue knowledge that can humanise health and social care by emphasising peoples’ everyday experiences, and involving people more centrally in their care
2. To pursue and develop novel and innovative research methodologies in order to enhance the value of qualitative research for practice
3. To champion Performative Social Science by demonstrating innovative approaches by which the arts and humanities can inform the practice and dissemination of social science

What we offer:

• The development of innovative research methodologies that result in improvements to the everyday lives of citizens and communities.

• The promotion and development of qualitative research within the university, nationally and internationally.

• Collaboration  with national and international partners in joint research programmes.

• A scholarly culture and opportunities that encourage and assist HSC faculty and students in the publication and dissemination of philosophical, methodological and applied contributions in this area.

• Expertise and mentoring to qualitative research programmes undertaken by faculty members within HSC, students and practice partner institutions through doctoral supervision and scholarly mentorship.

• The  provision of educational opportunities that disseminate current developments   in qualitative research through workshops, staff development programmes, opportunities to work within funded research projects, lunch-  time seminars,   special interest group, masterclasses, and conference activity.

• Websites  that celebrate and promote qualitative research and which  serves as an education, dissemination and information resource.

• Service as editors and editorial board members of leading international journals in qualitative research, service on boards of relevant national and international organisations, and service on research advisory boards and ethics committees.

International Profile:

The Centre has established international links with Vaxjo University in Sweden, University of Utah, USA, University College, Dublin, Fukuoka University, Aino University and the Asaba Medical Research Foundation for Mental Health, Japan.In collaboration with Vaxjo University, we have an established research programme that is exploring lifeworld-led care and education. The Centre is internationally recognised for its knowledge transfer activities including international conferences and masterclasses, which draw on world-leading academic experts in the field from the USA, Australia, Canada, and Europe.