Expertise by Experience in Research: Training for Experts by Experience in Conducting Research
The Academic Collaborative Center Living with intellectual disabilities (AWVB) believes it is important that experts by experience are actively involved in research that concerns them. That is why the AWVB developed this training. It introduces experts by experience with intellectual disabilities to scientific research.
What is scientific research? What steps are involved? These are the questions addressed in this AWVB training course. Participants become familiar with the various steps of research and actively work through them. They also practice formulating open-ended interview questions and they carry out a small research project of their own.
The training is intended for experts by experience who have completed a training programme in expertise by experience. It is delivered by a trainer with knowledge and experience in scientific research together with an expert-by-experience co-trainer. The training is available free of charge and consists of six learning sessions. These sessions are supported by a trainer’s manual, a co-trainer’s manual, a participant handbook, and accompanying PowerPoint presentations.
Advisory council
The AWVB originally developed this training for its Advisory Council. Within the Council, experts by experience regularly advise researchers on their research proposals. All members of the AWVB Advisory Council completed the training. The training is now available to all experts by experience with intellectual disabilities. Malu Bekers, an expert by experience and member of the Advisory Council, says about the training: “I learned a great deal about how research works and everything that is involved in conducting it. The training was very clear and well structured, which made it easy to follow. Every aspect of the research process was explained step by step. We received the course materials afterwards, so you can always look something up whenever you need to.”
Interested? If you are interested in the training, please contact Luciënne Heerkens at the AWVB via awvb@tilburguniversity.edu
