Individual reflective journalling - Week 1
I would firstly like to acknowledge that the Research summer has been an incredible opportunity to support not only my own professional development but also for the wider Oxfordshire area, which I think is absolutely rewarding. Our group has outlined a research brief detailing sports attainment in Blackbird Leys through a cricket club, which I think is a totally unique way of comprehending engagement amongst children and women.
I would approach the work differently next time through focusing less on the precise details and contributing more effort to contouring the overall approach, which would give us a strong outline of what direction we should take, though this will inevitably require more refinement as we go along.
What has particularly stood out to me was the intense contrast in educational and extra-curricular participation in Oxfordshire. Learning about the fact that the area was an LSOA struck me, as it surprisingly housed some of the best educational opportunities yet was intensely restricted to me as a student, so the research so far has definitely opened a new perspective about wider opportunities.
For next week, I think it is imperative that we meet with the Cricket club owner, and find out what his perspective and goals are for this project. That way, we can align our own understanding and further develop our approach to ensure it is robust and encompass more diverse thought.
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Hi Hana,
Thank you for your reflection. Your enthusiasm for both the project and the opportunity to contribute to the local community really comes across. I also liked your observation about how learning more about Blackbird Leys has challenged your own assumptions about Oxfordshire. One of the strengths of community-based research is exactly this — it encourages us to see familiar places through a very different lens.
I thought your reflection on stepping back from the details to think more about the overall direction of the project was insightful. Developing a clear framework before becoming immersed in individual tasks is an important research skill, particularly when working on a project with a relatively short timescale.
As you meet with Leys Cricket Club next week, I'd encourage you to think beyond simply understanding the club's goals and ask: 'What evidence will help us make practical recommendations that support the club's long-term development?' The brief is ultimately about understanding barriers to participation and identifying ways to build a sustainable, inclusive cricket club that responds to local community needs.
You may find it helpful to think about questions such as: What prevents people from taking part? What would encourage someone to come back week after week? Which barriers can the club realistically influence, and which require wider partnerships or policy change? Those kinds of questions will help keep your research focused on producing recommendations that are both evidence-based and useful.
Overall, this is a positive first reflection. I look forward to seeing how your thinking develops after meeting the club and beginning to gather evidence directly from the community. I think you'll find that the conversations you have over the coming weeks will bring many of the ideas in the brief to life.