This week we have received the first batch of Impact Research proposals from our trainees. The Impact Research forms the core of the Charityworks year, with trainees looking into issues that affect their organisation and the wider sector. Impact Research allows trainees to use their own areas of interest and expertise to make a tangible difference to their organisation through a list of recommendations.
The Impact Research will be scored by our incredible marking team over the coming weeks, but as I’ve been looking through the submissions, I’m already excited about the range of topics and the impact they will have on their host organisations, having read through all the proposals earlier this year.
This year, there has been a definite shift towards projects that are exploring the effectiveness of existing EDI initiatives, compared to previous years, when the focus was much more on the implementation of EDI strategies.
EDI has featured heavily as a theme over the past few years and that has continued this year, although this year, there has been a definite shift towards projects that are exploring the effectiveness of existing EDI initiatives, compared to previous years, when the focus was much more on the implementation of EDI strategies. This is an area I have always been personally passionate about, and it is great to see our trainees and host organisations continue to represent Charityworks’ values in this way.
Another interesting theme that I have noticed this year is research projects that focus on how organisations can better represent the interests of young people in their work. I think this is a great example of trainees bringing their unique perspectives to their host organisations and I know from conversations with placement supervisors that they really value the unique insight our trainees bring to their work.
Unsurprisingly, we’re also starting to see Impact Research that explores the use of AI and how best to utilise it for the benefit of the organisation. Interestingly, I’ve also noticed a number of projects that focus on remote work and staff wellbeing, as well as an increase in projects that look at fundraising, both of which I think reflect the continued challenges faced by charities in the wake of Covid-19 and lockdowns. Understandably, our trainees continue to value remote working, but I think it’s fair to say that a lot of us are still figuring out how to do it well, so I’m looking forward to reading these pieces of research in particular and seeing what learning I take from them.
Each year, our Impact Research submissions are a great reflection of the challenges faced by our trainees and host organisations and their recommendations continue to have a lasting impact beyond the trainees’ placement year. Having spoken to a number of trainees about their Impact Research, I know how passionate they are about their research topics having a meaningful impact, so I’m excited they will be able to share their Impact Research more widely at next month’s Summer Showcase, where they will be able to present their ideas to guests from across the sector. It’s such a great opportunity not just for trainees to show off their hard work, but also for organisations to learn about the great research that our trainees do each year and hopefully bring back some learning to their own organisations.
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You can come along to our Summer Showcase at Lift Islington on Thursday 18th July by signing up here.
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