Social Science Philosophy Workshop 2: Epistemology

Social Science Philosophy Workshop 2: Applied Epistemology

Empower Your Research Journey with the Philosophy of Research 

Are you ready to develop and defend your study design with confidence in an interdisciplinary environment? Join our transformative workshop designed to empower researchers to persuasively communicate and creatively collaborate by understanding the philosophical paradigms that underpin all research.

Workshop Objectives: 

• Explore Epistemological Positions: Gain insights into key epistemological perspectives including the standard view of science; interpretivism; critical theory and critical realism; standpoint and decoloniality.
• Connect Epistemology and Study Design: Understand the relationship between epistemological positions and study design.
• Promote Ethical Research and an Inclusive, Collaborative Research Culture: Model and encourage the values associated with effective researchers able work across sectors towards society’s future needs: curiosity, collaboration, adaptability, reflexivity and responsibility (Vitae Researcher Development Framework, 2025).
• Provide the Tools to Understand Your Choices: Support researchers to recognise unnoticed assumptions and make informed research decisions.

Why Attend?

• Interactive Learning: Engage in dynamic discussions and activities.
• Guidance and Facilitation: Learn with experienced researchers and researcher developers.
• Collaborative, Supportive Environment: Explore research ideas and challenges with peers and build meaningful networks and connections.

Resources and Structure:

This is an online Teams workshop which will run between 10-12.30 on Thursday 30th April 2026. The morning will be facilitated by Alison Edgley and Manny Madriaga. It will be interactive, although no participant will be made to speak.

Ahead of the day participants will be invited to watch exchanges between Andy Fisher and Alison Edgley. Following the day there will be mini lectures available on each of the positions we cover. There will also be a reading list.

We will cover: The Standard View of Science; Interpretivism;CriticalTheory/Realism; Standpoint epistemology; and decoloniality. As tutors we will model respect, curiosity, justice, civic virtue and citizenship, responsibility for self and others, and reflexivity.

We will have break-out sessions facilitated by either Alison Edgley or Manny Madriaga. Timings will be flexible, led by numbers who attend.

1. Introduction, what do participants hope to get out of the day
2. Participants will be given some philosophy of knowledge prompts for discussion (Standard View of Science & Interpretivism)
3. Participants will be given more philosophy of knowledge prompts for discussion (Criticalpositions)
4. What will participants take from the day and what are next steps

Between breakout sessions we will come back together as a whole group and participants will be sign posted to core principles from the philosophical positions just discussed.

How to Attend:

Complete the Online MS Form. You will be sent a calendar invitation ahead of the day with the how to join details.

Information about Workshops 1 and 3:

Workshop 1 will focus on ontology and is taking place on 20th February and workshop 3 will enable you to apply your learning to your research project and will take place on 5th May 2026.