Cornwall Disability Research Network (poster presentation)
Theo Blackmore, Cornwall Disability Research
Network
Co-presenter(s):
Dr Debbie Phillips, Liz Ellia, Janet Bardsley
Abstract
The Cornwall Disability Research Network (CDRN) is a unique project, bringing together disability researchers from a variety of organisational backgrounds in a spirit of co-operation and openness, to share work and examples of best practice. What is unique about this project is that it is overseen by a third sector, not-for-profit organisation, namely Disability Cornwall. The researchers therefore always have contact with disabled people. Disability Cornwall, a user-led disability charity, has hosted the network from the outset. The membership of CDRN was drawn from the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter, from the NHS, the Knowledge Spa, as well as independent researchers working alone. We have held two conferences, one each in 2006 and 2007. Our keynote speakers have been Professor Nick Watson, from the University of Strathclyde, and Professor Dan Goodley, from Manchester Metropolitan University. We have attracted other researchers from as far afield as Norway to present their work. Members of the Network have attended other conferences and events, presenting their individual research projects. Several members went to the 2006 biannual Disability Studies conference at Lancaster University, and presented a paper outlining the development and work of the network. The Learning Disability Research Group attended 2007's Developmental Disability Research and Education Group conference in Devon, where they presented examples of their research. The network has held several small scale conferences and research events to keep members informed about each others' work. This poster will present the work of network members. We will also present some of the themes emerging from our previous two conferences in Cornwall.