Presented by: Professor Pam Denicolo, Emeritus University of Reading, and Dr Kim Bradley-Cole, University of Winchester

In this workshop participants will be introduced to approaches and techniques underpinned by a constructivist philosophy which fits within an interpretivist paradigm. As well as having a potential contribution to any doctoral work they may find it a coherent and unifying approach to any research and, indeed, to living and learning beyond the PhD. It is particularly suitable for those wanting to explore attitudes and beliefs, others’ perspectives and understandings of their worlds and issues related to identity.

Using Personal Construct Theory (PCT) as an exemplar of a constructivist approach, with others used as contrasts throughout, the history of the development and overarching philosophy of these approaches will be summarised, followed by an introduction to key concepts. Through demonstrations, thought experiments and other activities, participants will experience a selection of the techniques in action. Participants will be introduced to appropriate research designs to encompass this approach and its range of methods and data analysis techniques to help them decide if they would find it fruitful to engage in further exploration. It will also provide understandings on which to base an argument for the rejection of such approaches.

This workshop which seeks to illustrate how researchers can come to understand the world as experienced by their own research participants.

This is an intensive day that requires full participation and sharing of ideas. We request that you commit to arriving promptly and engaging with us throughout the day. We hope it will be both fun and enlightening.

Schedule  

Facilitator bionotes

Pam Denicolo, a chartered constructivist psychologist, is Emeritus Professor of Postgraduate and Professional Education at the University of Reading where she developed over the 2000s a Graduate School, initially for the Social Sciences and Humanities, eventually encompassing all disciplines in the university. Contemporaneously she helped establish a School of Pharmacy, having previously been made an Honorary Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, and led the Centre for Postgraduate and Professional Education and Training. Originally her work at Surrey University had encompassed academic staff development and the establishment of doctoral research methods and supervisor training, reflecting her passion for improving doctoral education. Similarly, she has contributed to and served on the executive committees of numerous bodies concerned with that goal, such as the UKCGE, ISATT, Vitae, RIN, QAA and, of course, since 1995 the SRHE PIN.  She has supervised to successful completion 60+ doctorates and examined over 200. Her retirement is filled with national and international consultancies, writing articles and books, presentations, workshops, and editing two book series devoted to Higher Education, predominantly Postgraduate Education.

Kim Bradley-Cole is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at University of Winchester. She is a Chartered and HCPC Registered Occupational Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She is an award-winning researcher and lecturer, with extensive practitioner and commercial experience gained in senior consultancy and client-side roles. She has practical expertise in improving processes and people performance across the employee lifecycle, including leadership development, coaching, engagement, talent management, OD, and the social psychology of work. Kim has co-authored two books on constructivist approaches, and actively uses these methods in her research and practice, as well as teaching students, managers, and coaches how to apply them in their own work. As a constructivist coach, Kim has developed considerable distinctive expertise in helping people thrive at work, build more effective relational networks, and achieve transformative outcomes.