Curiosity, collaboration and a responsive Research Group

One of the aims of Cardiff University’s Modern Slavery and Social Sustainability Research Group is to be responsive. This means convening academic and non-academic members, as relevant, around newly emerging challenges connected to modern slavery and related opportunities for collaborative research.

With an increase in reported cases of forced labour in social care in the UK this year, including in Wales, and growing related media attention, the ability of our Research Group to be agile and responsive is being put to the test.  In this blog, we explore the story of our collaboration so far, what we’re learning about ‘what works’ as well as any challenges involved.

An ‘early warning system’

One advantage of bringing together actors from diverse disciplines, sectors, and areas of expertise with a shared interest in modern slavery research is that, together, they can act as a kind of ‘early warning system’, raising a red flag as new issues or concerns arise.  The combined reach of our Research Group – its members, associates, and affiliates – is extensive, connecting with multiple stakeholders and networks in our field. In relation to exploitation within Welsh social care, one of the Research Group’s co-chairs, and a representative from the new Centre for Adult Social Care Research (CARE), flagged this for the Group’s attention and, on the Group’s behalf, started to connect and explore this issue with key stakeholders already acting in this space.

Collectively curious

The second advantage of having cross-sector representation on our Research Group is the shared curiosity and commitment we meet when reaching out to Government, NGOs and other partners and a clear willingness to engage.  In a couple of weeks, our two nominated ‘explorers’ had met with and discussed modern slavery and the social care sector in Wales with Welsh Government representatives from the Modern Slavery and Worker Rights team, Social Care Wales and Unseen UK.  The Welsh Government and Social Care Wales were already collaborating on law enforcement training for care providers on modern slavery in social care and Unseen UK was about to analyse the most recent data from their Modern Slavery Helpline including reported potential cases of forced labour in the social care sector in the UK. All three were interested in scoping and supporting research addressing evidence gaps in this domain.

Spreading the word

The third benefit of a group of highly networked individuals is that not only can they raise a red flag about current concerns, but they can also spread the word about an evolving research collaboration and help to identify other partners.  Via the Research Group, we were made aware of research on social care and modern slavery in England, based at Nottingham University’s Rights Lab, including related commissioning guidance as part of a modern slavery and supply chain risk management approach.  We were also signposted to Citizens Cymru who, through their campaigns and listening exercises, were hearing reports related to workforce exploitation within social care in the UK.  Most recently, we have been approached by the Welsh Local Government Association’s Wales Safer Communities Network and received an offer to connect us with the National Care Forum and ADSS.   At this stage, it’s important to maintain curiosity, be transparent and avoid any duplication.

Finding our focus

Amidst such momentum, and to protect the time and capacity of those engaged, it’s important to find our focus and move towards consensus relatively rapidly, as well as identify a clear research lead or leads.  CARE, the new research centre in SPARK focused on adult social care including the social care workforce, provides a natural ‘home’ for this research and has conducted an initial review of existing relevant literature.  CARE needs to work in collaboration with a researcher or researchers with expertise in modern slavery which our Research Group can provide.  Other actors, particularly those supporting people with lived experience of forced labour in social care, can be engaged and resourced as fundamental partners, as part of any research funding bid.

Our next step is to bring together all interested parties in a co-facilitated workshop where we map out our collaboration and areas of focus within an ESRC funding application frame.  The continued curiosity, commitment and willingness to collaborate of those involved will be essential elements for any success.