The “Researcher Perspectives: The Road to Engaged Research” was held at John Cadbury House, Birmingham on the 7^th of June 2024 and organised by Fahmida Choudhury (Management and Business, Aston).

The Research Perspectives: The Road to Engaged Research event was designed to support PhD and Early Career researchers in navigating the complexities of research practice including building meaningful connections between researchers and their subjects to lead to more impactful and ethically sound research practices. The day included presentations by Dr. Eva Kasperova and Dr. Shuai Qin from the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) at Aston University, and Dr. Sophie Alkhaled, Associate Professor at Lancaster University. Closing remarks were given by Professor Monder Ram OBE, Director of CREME.

The event included a series of panels exploring engaged scholarship and concluded with an interactive group activity exploring challenges faced in research practice. Feedback from this event was overwhelmingly positive with participants in the event reported that they had gained a deeper understanding of the practical applications and challenges of engaged scholarship.

Fahmida Choudhury, the event organiser, said that:

“Running a DEG was a valuable experience that significantly contributed to my professional growth and prepared me for future leadership roles and academic endeavours. It enhanced my confidence in hosting and presenting, while also providing opportunities to network with speakers and expand my professional connections.”