How to know if your organisation is research ready?

 Are you research ready? For many Social Economy Organisations (SEOs), this question can be a stumbling block when it comes to engaging in research. As highlighted in recent RISE project workshops which took place across Europe, a lack of clarity around the required internal capacity, resources, and partnership structures often keeps SEOs from participating in engaged research. Even those with some research experience may not have the structures in place to fully integrate research into their operations. Below, we will explore how to assess your organisation’s readiness - and where to start if you're not quite there yet.

If your SEO is thinking about getting involved in research, it’s worth taking a moment to understand what engaged research is all about to have clear idea of what would be expected of your organisation in the process. Engaged research aims to improve, understand, or investigate an issue of public interest or concern, including societal challenges. Unlike standard academic research, it is advanced with societal partners rather than for them (Campus Engage, 2022). Thus, in the engaged research methodology, all members of the research team actively collaborate across the stages of a research life cycle - meaning a high level of engagement is required from SEOs. Given the commitment required, it’s important that any research partnership fits with the organisation’s overall goals, builds on existing relationships with communities, and matches the time and resources available.

Research could be aligned with your SEOs mission and values in several ways. It can serve as a tool for enhancing social impact, advocacy, service improvement, or funding diversification. Additionally, by taking part in engaged research, SEOs can often gain access to resources to undertake activities that are the traditional strengths of an academic institution (University of California San Francisco, 2010). If you do see a clear link between research and your strategic goals, it’s now time to define your research priorities and understand the purpose behind them. Being clear on the 'why’ will help ensure that any research you take on is both meaningful and manageable.

Another key factor in determining your organisation’s readiness for engaged research is the level of existing engagement your organisation has with the communities affected by your work. Engaged research is built upon collaboration, dialogue and co-creation with these groups, and if your organisation has limited interactions with these communities, this type of research can be more difficult to undertake. Consider how regularly you interact with your target audience. Is your contact ongoing and embedded in long established relationships, or is it more occasional and tied to specific projects? Organisations with existing mechanisms for listening to community voices are better positioned to take part in engaged research. If your current connection to communities is limited, it simply means that building or deepening these relationships may need to come before taking steps towards engaged research.

If you know that research aligns with your SEOs goals and you have a high level of engagement with beneficiaries, the next thing to consider is whether or not your SEO has the internal capacity and resources to engage in research. Put simply, do you have the staff, time, and budget available to support research activities? If you are an organisation early in your development, or if all your available resources are needed for frontline service delivery, it may not be the right time to engage in research. However, if your organisation does have some capacity, research can be a powerful way to deepen your understanding of the issues, generate evidence for your work, and strengthen the impact you can have on the communities you serve.

The RISE project is focused on supporting SEOs to become research ready. We’re developing tailored modules and resources to help organisations assess their current capacity, understand what’s involved, and take concrete steps towards integrating research into their activities. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to build on existing research experience, the RISE project aims to provide clear, practical support to help you move forward in your research journey.

Áine O'Connor – The Wheel

References 

• Campus Engage (2022). A Framework for Engaged Research Society and Higher Education Addressing Grand Societal Challenges Together. 

• University of California San Francisco (2010). Community-Engaged Research: A Quick-Start Guide for Community-Based Organizations.