Research roadshows: bringing research to life in your area
What do we mean by ‘research roadshow’?
Our research roadshows highlight topics that matter most to social care professionals, based on what you’ve told us you want to learn. We bring practitioners, researchers and people with lived experience together.
“We are commencing a service review [and] will use connections from today to inform this process.” – Research roadshow participant
Our events are hosted in partnership with local authorities and other organisations, such as Regional Safeguarding Boards. We work together in collaboration to explore topics that matter to the sector.
Our aim is to take the roadshows to local areas so that busy practitioners and social care colleagues can access them easily, and to save them time.
What kind of event is it?
The roadshows are held at a local venue and hosted by our friendly team who provide on the day support for everyone who attends.
We also provide refreshments and lunch so participants can relax and enjoy the insightful and practical presentations from researchers and subject experts, people with lived experience and practitioners.
“Made me think deeper about what we can offer as a service and what impact that makes on young people.” – Research roadshow participant
Each session is interactive and practical, designed to be as relevant and useful as possible for busy professionals. Ideally, people go away from our roadshows with new ideas and approaches they can apply to practice.
Here’s what to expect at one of our research roadshows:
- connect with researchers on key issues
- learn about current research in Wales and beyond
- reflect on how research can improve your practice.
Our model
We’ve developed a model that is responsive, flexible and pragmatic.
This means:
- we listen to what the sector tells us it needs
- we collaborate with colleagues in the sector to co-produce our offer
- participants come from across the sector to make sure everyone is part of the conversation, from senior leaders to frontline practitioners
- we make sure that everything we do is useful to people in practice
- we hold our events in community-based settings where possible.
“Importance of co production, the voice of the citizen. Evidence base used was helpful.” – Research roadshow participant
Capturing the roadshows on film
This year we hosted four research roadshows on the important topic of Transitional Safeguarding and two more are planned for spring 2026.
This is because a roadshow on this topic has been requested by every one of the Wales Regional Safeguarding Boards, which we’re very pleased to be able to support.
We’ve also produced a video that highlights the topic. The video also gives you an insight into how and why we run the roadshows the way we do.
Welsh and English subtitles are available in the settings.
Find out more!
Would you like to partner with us for a research roadshow? Do you have a topic you think we can help you explore using research and evidence?
If so, please get in touch: researchroadshows@socialcare.wales.
Relevant blogs
You can find out more about our previous research roadshows in these blogs: