Community Wellbeing Collective

Josie Tothill, Jogob Sarr and Bobby Sayers from the Community Wellbeing Collective, and Iona Beange from the University of Edinburgh talk about the ways in which research can become a site of resistance and transformation.
This group are running a session entitled: Research as Healing: Building Community as Methodology, at the Edinburgh Mental Health Annual Conference on 22nd April.
This panel discussion, organised by the Community Wellbeing Collective, invites participants to explore the transformative potential of research as a healing process and the urgent need to center community building within research methodologies. By interrogating the traditional boundaries of research and embracing a more inclusive and collaborative approach, we can unlock a profound healing power through our scholarly endeavors.
Drawing on ‘Mental Health, Knowledge and Imagining Beyond: Community Created Questions and Methodology’ research undertaken by Community Wellbeing Collective members alongside Iona Beanage , we will bring together researchers, activists, and community leaders to engage in a dialogue that challenges the dominant narratives surrounding research practices. Together, we will question the hierarchical power structures that often shape academic research, and instead propose methodologies that foster solidarity, empathy, and collective healing.
Throughout the panel discussion, we will delve into the ways in which research can become a site of resistance and transformation. By centering the experiences and voices of marginalized communities, we can challenge oppressive systems and generate knowledge that honors the complexity of lived experiences.
Moreover, we will explore the ethical dimensions of community-based research, emphasizing the importance of reciprocity and respect in our engagements with communities. Through radical listening, dialogue, and co-creation, we can cultivate research methodologies that empower individuals and foster a sense of belonging and agency within communities.
By attending this panel discussion, participants will gain insights into innovative research practices that prioritize social justice and community well-being. Together, we will imagine a future where research not only produces knowledge but also becomes a catalyst for healing, resilience, and transformative social change. Join us on this intellectual and collective journey towards a more inclusive and healing-centered research praxis.
Speakers:
Dr Iona Beange, Federica Cologna, Maryanne Jacobs, Jogob Sarr, and Josie Tothill.
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