Summer Institute in Qualitative Research: Putting Theory to Work

The first international Summer Institute in Qualitative Research was held at MMU in July. The event was organised by the Education and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and attracted 150 delegates from 21 countries.

With a focus on ‘Putting Theory to Work’, the Summer Institute offered a full programme of keynote lectures by leading scholars. There were also workshops on using theory in practical research studies. Delegates took part in discussions throughout the week about the issues raised in the keynotes, and were invited to present sessions on their own research.

Professor Maggie MacLure, Director of the Summer Institute, said: “I had a hunch that there was an appetite for ‘theory’ that was not being met by conventional research training, but I was staggered by the response”. The Summer Institute attracted graduate students and more experienced academics from all over the world, with a very diverse range of interests spanning education, health, criminology, gender studies, sports science, sociology, business, linguistics and psychology. As Professor MacLure notes, this was interdisciplinarity in action: “it was inspiring to see people from such a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, getting together to grapple with complex ideas. One delegate commented: “I enjoyed being tugged out of my usual mindset and trying to make the connections”.

“We take theory seriously”
Professor MacLure thinks the success of the Summer Institute is linked partly to the calibre of the keynote speakers, and partly to ESRI’s work as an active research centre with an extensive portfolio of sponsored projects. “We take theory seriously”, she said, “but not as a set of abstract ideas. We use theory, and teach our students to use it, to gain a better understanding of complex situations.”

Keynote speakers:

  • Patti Lather, Ohio State University, US
  • Stephen Ball, Institute of Education, University of London
  • Neil Mercer, University of Cambridge
  • Nick Lee, Warwick University
  • Erica Burman, Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Lorna Roberts, Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Ian Parker, Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Maggie MacLure, Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Bridget Somekh, Manchester Metropolitan University