Brake's National Centre of Excellence for Post-Crash Support is keen to partner with research teams to generate new knowledge and understanding the field of post-crash support. Our research strategy is comprised of four core strands which we feel should be reflected in research projects to ensure that they are aligned with a trauma-informed approach to research practice. We welcome applications for partnerships which encompass each of these elements.
- Choice. We can provide opportunities for our beneficiaries to participate in research which allows for their lived experiences to inform progress in the field of post-crash support.
- Support. We can ensure that research participants are supported to engage in research, prior to, during and after, participation. This is achieved through seeking to understand their needs and their motivation to participate.
- Quality. We reduce the potential for re-traumatisation by making certain that research is designed and delivered utilising a trauma-informed approach and underpinned by 6 key principles (safety, choice and control, supporting coping, facilitating connections, responding to identity and context and building strengths). This forms part of our quality assurance process for supporting research partnership requests.
- Impact. We can provide assurances that the research has benefits which go beyond generating new knowledge and extend directly to impact the lives of those they are researching.
In addition to providing a copy of the research project’s application for ethical approval and proof of the outcome of this application potential partners are required to answer the following questions:
*In the event that approval cannot be sought via a formal research ethics committee, please contact Dr Nicola Lester to discuss how the research can demonstrate that it meets the required standards of ethical practice using alternative approaches. We are keen to support independent researchers in addition to those who are affiliated to a specific academic institution.