I plan and deliver regular training courses for the Social Research Association (SRA) on conducting research and evaluation with children and young people; plus in-house courses for other organisations. Recently these included the Department for Education, Ofsted, Women’s Aid, the ONS, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, Ipsos Mori and others.
I have also developed bespoke training, e.g. on qualitative interviewing and focus groups and training peer researchers e.g. for Alzheimers Society, the Princes Trust and Great Ormond Street and Moorfields hospitals.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I found Berni’s …teaching style led to a really collaborative and safe space for learning, in which everybody contributed their ideas and experiences. At the start of the course, I explained that I hoped to leave feeling more confident when conducting research with CYP and I definitely feel that is the case. I’m now feeling excited to implement my learnings and improve my research practice..”
Course participant 2024
My training courses include:
- how to conduct research and evaluation with children and young people, including the key methodological and ethical considerations;
- planning and using qualitative interviews and focus groups;
- training non-researchers in qualitative interview skills and handling related ethical issues
“Thank you Berni for delivering the training… I think it’s the best training I’ve been on..”
Course participant, 2022
These issues are not typically covered in mainstream courses and many researchers feel very anxious about, or even put off, working with younger participants, despite the multiple justifications and benefits of doing so. My courses help overcome common fears, especially around ethics and methods, and provide the theoretical and practical basis required.
“Great course, pacing and timing was right. … The trainer (Berni) has extensive knowledge and experience in the area and I enjoyed the breakout group activities and opportunities to hear from others working in the field, and sharing our experiences.“
Course Participant Dec 23
I plan courses to match the needs of people new to research as well as seasoned researchers, who want to develop their skills further. As well as direct teaching and providing comprehensive written materials, all courses include plenty of group discussions and practical work, so that participants can explore how the learning applies to their own specific challenges and research situations.
“I really, really enjoyed this course, thank you, This course definitely met our aims of becoming more confident in not only researching with children and young people but also involving them in the research process so thank you so much!”
Course participant Dec 2022
“Very good course, structure worked really well i.e. one topic built on the next. Felt about the right number of people to make it interactive“
Course participant, July 2024
As well as ‘open’ courses, I create and deliver bespoke courses for organisations. In recent years this included training staff at Ofsted, Crest, Women’s Aid, the DofE, ONS, Action for Children, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, Sustrans and Ipsos Mori.
“The training was excellent. The trainer was thoughtful in her approach, helping us think through challenging topics in a way that will serve us well when we need to do the same with our own research projects. Really impressed with her knowledge of the subject“
Course participant, 2023
My training and support to non-researchers to work as peer researchers, includes:
- In 2024 I developed training and trained volunteers to conduct qualitative depth peer interviews for Alzheimers Society
- In 2022 I trained young people from Moorfields and Great Ormond Street Hospital on qualitative interviewing skills, including ensuring consent & confidentiality and limiting bias
- I jointly developed a training pack with sample materials and templates for Barnardos to help them engage and train children and young people as peer researchers (2021)
- I trained and supported care leavers to conduct a national survey about support services
- I trained young people involved in the Princes Trust to evaluate their local services
- I recruited and trained a group of young people with long-term health conditions to work as research advisers to the NHS
- I trained families to evaluate their local early years’ services
- I trained local people to conduct structured interviews to gather views on parks and green spaces in East London.
“Fab course. Great trainer. Well explained. … Questions and queries that I came to the course with were answered without having to ask them – the course was exceptional. I recommend for anyone new, or wanting to explore newer ways of conducting research with children and young people. Great interaction and involvement from delegates.“
Course participant, 2024