Project Team Handbook

In The Valuing Voices project, we developed our own Valuing Voices Project Handbook which includes expectations for the members of our team. We encourage you to read over it to inform the creation of your own.

Development of the Valuing Voices Tool

One of the key areas of the Valuing Voices project is the development of the tool. The tool features five key principles to generate ideas around how to conduct equitable research practices.

Five principles for Equitable and Responsible Research

Engagement and impact

Research is credible and has real-world benefits when you engage with those affected by and interested in it.

Team equity and diversity

Diverse research teams generate fresh perspectives on complex problems, address unfair hierarchies and promote global equity.

Strategic risk mapping

Research plans are strengthened by careful risk mapping that makes the most of limited resources.

Environmental sustainability

Environmentally conscious research sets a societal precedent, is cost-effective and safeguards the future of research.

Reflection and learning

Research practices are made effective and robust when they are informed by reflective learning.

Pilot Version: September 2024

We initially started the project with ten principles which were co-developed with members of the research community.

Testing: October / November 2024

We engaged in a series of workshops, observations, and surveys with 20 projects at York and 20 projects at Mahidol University to test the ten principle model.

Evaluating: November / December 2024

We evaluated the data collected in the testing and refining stage to assess whether the ten principles were well received by the research community when they tried to apply the principles in practice.

Refining: January / February 2025

Using the evaluation findings, the ten principles were transformed into five. This process did not lose any of the detail of the ten principles, but ensured that the principles were umbrella-style headings that covered multiple areas.

Beta online version: April - May 2025

We worked with Castlegate IT to develop the online tool which launched in its beta version in May 2025. We also worked with Nifty Fox Creative to develop an animation video to encourage members of the research community to use the tool.

Refining: June - September 2025

We are currently asking members of the research community to trial using the tool and to leave us feedback using the 'Feedback' button. All feedback will be used to improve our final version to ensure that it aligns with the research community's needs.

Final Version: December 2025

We plan to launch the final version of the tool at the end of the year. Keep your eyes peeled for an official launch event in early 2026.