Conducting "emergency remote" research on teaching and learning workspaces during Covid-19: Panel Discussion

Background: In March 2020, in response to public health measures implemented to curb COVID-19, UK universities closed physical campus spaces and moved to engage in the ‘emergency remote’ delivery of courses online requiring teaching staff and students to participate in education from their personal home spaces. This disruption brought many challenges for educators and students alike as people collectively adapted to the novel experience of using the home and online as the primary learning environment. During the first full academic year of ‘emergency remote learning’, our team conducted photoelicitation research exploring UWS staff and students’ experiences and perceptions of the home as a learning environment. Participants provided digital images of their ‘workspaces’ and completed an online qualitative survey.

Event: In this 30-minute, in-person panel discussion the authors will discuss the research study and consider the emergent challenges of adapting qualitative methodologies to the emergency remote research environment. The discussion will also explore the benefits of teams-based collaboration and creative methods in research more generally. Delegates will be encouraged to participate via discussion at the event and via social media during the Research Festival. Delegates will also be invited to visit the digital showcase of ‘workspace’ images accompanying this panel discussion to explore the research findings on aspects of the home that facilitate and frustrate the home-based teaching and learning experience.