Welcome to the Newcastle University Qualitative Special Interest Group (QualSIG)

The primary aim of the QualSIG is to offer students and academic researchers with an interest in qualitative research a supportive and positive environment to learn and collaborate. Our secondary aim is to promote the considerable qualitative expertise we have here at Newcastle University.

The QualSIG offers:

An opportunity to learn and network: Qualitative research encapsulates a broad number of approaches and processes. Members will be able to share their expertise and learn from others through seminars, training events, and informal mentorship.

An opportunity to contribute and collaborate: In bringing together the diverse range of qualitative researchers we have at Newcastle University we will establish a pool of researchers who can be called upon for their qualitative expertise and support with teaching of qualitative methods and supervision on qualitative and mixed methods projects. Membership will also support collaboration on funding bids, outreach, engagement events, and writing projects.

A supportive environment: Qualitative research can be a challenging undertaking. We can experience frustrations with recruitment, challenging ethics applications, and methods conundrums. We also often listen to sensitive, difficult narratives throughout the course of data collection and analysis. Our SIG will be a place to seek support with all such issues.

An opportunity to showcase the qualitative expertise at Newcastle: There is a wealth of experience in qualitative research across Newcastle University. Our SIG offers the opportunity to put qualitative research at Newcastle on the map. Our online presence, an annual conference, pooling expertise on grant applications to generate funding are some of the steps we are taking to establish Newcastle University as a site of excellence in qualitative research.

Activities and events

The QualSIG have two key sub-groups, our Peer2Peer Network and our Data & Methods Group. You can read more about them here:

Peer2Peer Network: https://research.ncl.ac.uk/ima/qualitativesig/peer2peernetwork/ 

Data & Methods Sessions: https://research.ncl.ac.uk/ima/qualitativesig/datamethodssessions/ 

We host events throughout the year. Please see our events page for more info: https://research.ncl.ac.uk/ima/qualitativesig/events/ 

Annual Symposium

The QualSIG annual symposium takes place in mid-January, offering qualitative researchers (and the qual-curious) an opportunity to network and learn from their peers and indulge in a day dedicated to all things qualitative. While each symposium will have a theme to highlight contemporary issues of relevance to research, we always allow for "free topic" abstract submissions for those who wish to present their work and ideas but do not feel they can directly speak to the symposium theme. We do not limit abstract submissions to the presentation of on-going or completed research; "thought pieces" and reflexive accounts are encouraged. 

Contact: QualSIG@newcastle.ac.uk

Steering committee