Sue Porter
Qualifications
PhD (Bath), Dip. IHSM, CQSW and Dip SW (Bristol)
Role
Research Fellow
Contact details
Direct line: 0117 331 0993
Email: sue.porter@bristol.ac.uk
Biography
My background was originally in social work, and social policy and practice development. Since 1998 I have worked as a researcher, using largely qualitative methods within the framework of an action research approach. More recently I have extended the approaches I use to include narrative inquiry methods, and I have found that these are complementary when working with individuals and groups who may find text based methods difficult.
I specialise in supporting individuals, groups and organizations learning together, and have a particular interest in facilitating meaningful participation by otherwise silenced individuals, groups and communities, thereby expanding the space in which new knowledge can form. This empowering and critically aware facilitation was also the focus of my original doctoral research at the University of Bath; Learning to listen: developing a mindful and crafty facilitation practice (2005), which built on my interest in developing approaches which enable people with less powerful voices to be heard.
I have a particular interest in identity and disability, and am currently undertaking another piece of doctoral research which looks at the changing/inconsistent identities of disabled people.
Currently I am working with Val Williams on the Your Life, Your Choice research project for the ODI.
In addition to my role here at NFRC I am a Visiting Fellow at the Department of Management, University of Bristol and a Visiting Fellow at the School of Management, University of Bath. I have most recently been involved in the development of a new centre, ARCIO (Action Research and Critical Inquiry in Organisations) within the School of Economics, Finance and Management
Publications
Pivcevic, P., Porter, S. Systemic Approaches in Consultancy, Journal of Change Management, Issue 4, (forthcoming) Routledge.
Porter, S and Seeley, C (2008) Promoting inter-generational understanding through Community Philosophy. Policy Press. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Porter, S. Pivcevic, P. Community Planning Action Inquiry Groups Dec 2006 – May 2007. Report published by the Welsh Assembly Government
Porter, S. Pivcevic, P. Local Service Boards – A Baseline for Evaluation and Early Lessons. Report published by the Welsh Assembly Government April 2008
Porter, S., Earll L, Pritchard S (2006). Developing Neighbourhood Profiles (Gloucester LSP).
Wilkinson, D., Warburton, D., Porter, S. & Colvin, J. (2005) Joining Up: Stockbridge pathfinder, Science Report E2-057/SR4, Bristol: Environment Agency.
Porter, S., Warburton, D. & Wilkinson, D. (2005) Developing effective engagement with Local and Community Strategic Partnerships, Science Report E2-057/SR6, Bristol: Environment Agency.
Porter, S., Warburton, D. & Wilkinson, D. (2005) Joining Up Thames pathfinder, Science Report E2-057SR7, Bristol: Environment Agency.
Warburton, D., Porter, S. & Wilkinson, D. (2005) Joining Up science project: Summary & evaluation, Science Report E2-057/SR8, Bristol: Environment Agency
Porter, S (2005). Learning to Listen: Developing a mindful and crafty facilitation practice. PhD thesis. University of Bath.
Porter, S., McDonagh C (1997). The Facilitators Toolkit. Cheltenham, Vision 21.
Porter S., Ellis F (1996) Vision and Values in a Virtual Organisation. AMED conference paper.
Teaching
Qualitative research methods, for academic and lay researchers. Action research, including co-operative inquiry, appreciative inquiry, participatory action research. Communication skills. Facilitation skills. Community involvement and participation. Narrative inquiry skills. Masters dissertation supervision.
Editorial and reviewing work
Action Research Journal (Sage), Action Learning: Research and Practice (Taylor and Francis), Subjectivity (Palgrave Macmillan) and Aphra – online journal, member of editorial board.