Introduction to Participatory Research (Online)

Dr PJ Annand

PJ is a Senior Research Fellow at University of Surrey working on participatory approaches to structural-level health and social inequalities. Prior to academia, PJ worked for 10 years in the third sector on research, campaigns and service provision. They are also an activist committed to delivering scholarship that will help bring about tangible change. PJ is co-developing a module on Lived Experience in Mental Health Research at King’s College London and has previously convened and taught on undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Health Inequalities, Cultural Competence, Public Health and Research Methods. PJ currently leads the Queering Shelter project (a participatory study on LGBTQ+ ‘safe spaces’) and the CANVAS project (on the impact of COVID on the domestic abuse sector) and co-leads the Beyond ‘Do No Harm' project (about feminist and decolonial approaches to impact). They recently founded the Reject Lounge, a group of academics, artists and third sector representatives seeking to transform academic-community collaboration cultures. PJ is also a committee member of the British Psychological Society – Psychology of Women and Equalities Section. Find out more about their work by visiting www.pjannand.com.

Dr Sohail Jannesari

Sohail is a Lecturer in Global Health. He has worked on outcomes for survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery. He completed a PhD on the effects of the asylum process on the mental health of Iranians and Afghans using a participatory action research approach and a postcolonial lens. He is also the co-founder of the Stolen Tools anti-racism journal, co-convener of the Inspiring Ethics group and co-developed a guide for mental health professionals working with Afghan sanctuary seekers. He founded the Migrant Connections Festival and Walk and Talk Migrant Welcome Tour charities. You can find out more about his work at www.sohailj.com.