Doing Research Differently: Methodological Creativity and Innovation in the Sociology of Families and Relationships

A BSA Families and Relationships Study Group Event

12 June 2025 (10:00-17:00 BST)
University of the West of England, Bristol

About the Event

This one-day conference will explore creative, innovative and interdisciplinary methods used and developed by sociologists of families and relationships. This includes, but is not limited to, art-based, visual, digital and technology-driven, material, spatial methods as well as co-produced and participatory methods and new approaches in quantitative methods. We will discuss whether and how researching families and relationships, in the context of wider social and political change, might stimulate or require new ways to do research. We consider the practical, methodological and ethical questions and challenges raised by methodological innovations in our field.

We are delighted that Professor Debbie Watson will be giving the keynote presentation sharing her expertise and experience with creative, innovative and participatory research with children and families. Dr Laura Way will also lead a workshop on zine-making as research methodology.

Call for Contributions

We invite contributions which showcase methodological innovation (of any size and scale) and promote discussion of the questions they raise. Contributions may take the form of short papers, practical workshops, performances, readings, exhibition of artwork or photographs, posters, screenings and works in progress are all welcomed.

Delegates can opt to share their work via:

short 'presentation' (15 minutes) e.g. reading, screening, short performance, presentation or demonstration
longer 'presentation' (45 minutes) suitable for longer performances/screenings
a practical/interactive workshop (45 minutes)
display (to be viewed or interacted with in the conference exhibition space)

Please submit a 250 word summary of your contribution by emailing Laura Way. You should include: a) your name and affiliation and those of any co-contributors b) whether you require any particular resources, equipment or space and whether you are able to provide these c) whether you would require an allocated slot on the programme and, if so, for how long (15 or 45 minutes).

Summary submission deadline: 25 March 2025

Registration

BSA members: £25
Non-members: £35

Key Dates

Deadline for summaries: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Decisions expected: w/c 14 April 2025