A big project is on the horizon. A colleague and I are getting ready to launch a study that will explore Gen Z’s religious and spiritual role models, amidst rapidly changing religious demographics and digitally mediated social contexts. I’ll share some milestones and reflections as the project unfolds.
Ethics approval. Check.
First things first. We received approval from the Central University Research Ethics Committee in record time. Perhaps a week. We’re immensely grateful to the committee for the thorough read and quick turnaround.
Instrument design and recruitment. Almost done.
We’re so excited to use story completion as a technique to generate data with research participants. The story prompt seems to resonate with Gen Zers , and we’re looking forward to reading the creative narratives that will come through. As we finalise the online task, we’re putting finishing touches on our recruitment material and online presence. Get ready.
Participatory research community. Yes, please.
A key feature of our research is its participatory design. Research participants will be invited to comment on our ongoing analysis, and to develop their skills through online and in-person workshops that weave together themes from the research. We’re organising gallery discussions at the Ashmolean Museum as well as life writing workshops online. A big Oxford conference is in the works, so keep your eyes peeled. We want to do research differently. Not from the ivory tower, but with everyday exemplars on the ground floor.
If you’re between the ages of 18 and 27 (inclusive) and are interested in taking part in our research, then please get in touch. You’ll get plenty of perks including special invites to our workshops. And if you’re a bit older than 27 (myself included!), but would like to join our research community (a hub for the interdisciplinary study of exemplars), then hit that contact button below. We’d love to hear from you!
Edward A. David 
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