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Learning Opportunities
We will share any details of learning opportunities here when they are available.
Evaluation training resources
We have drawn together a list of recommended resources to support evaluation.
Discover our recommended evaluation training resources
Current events
Photovoice workshop series
New County Hall, Truro. 12 May and 2 June, 1.30-4.30pm
Explore the foundations of Photovoice as a powerful participatory research and evaluation method.
Part 1: Introduction to Photovoice
Explore the foundations of Photovoice as a powerful participatory research and evaluation method. This session will guide you through its core components. You'll also get hands-on experience. Participants will receive a topic question and head out to capture their own photographs between sessions.
Part 2: From Images to Insights
Bring your photos back for an interactive session. This will focuse on analysing visual data and developing strong storytelling practices. Learn structured analysis techniques and how to surface themes from images. Also how Photovoice can amplify community perspectives in research, evaluation, and policy influence.
Please note: This workshop is in two parts. Participants must be able to attend both sessions. To secure your place, please register for both dates and ensure you have a ticket for each session.
Due to demand, spaces are limited to one individual per team.
Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Book your place on our photovoice workshops
HDRC Cornwall lunch and learn - Introduction to realist methodologies
Online. 13 May 1-2pm
Online lunch and learn session.
This one‑hour introductory session provides an overview of realist approaches. This includes realist reviews and realist evaluations. It will introduce core concepts and terminology. And outline how realist methodologies are used to understand how and why interventions work in complex settings.
The session is a a basic introduction and requires no prior knowledge.
Register for our introduction to realist methodologies session
Discussion Series
Wondering how you could apply research in your work?
Then join our Discussion Series. A chance to hear about how research can be used in different settings, and to chat with others to share knowledge, gain ideas and expand your network.
Read our event poster to learn more
Journal Club
Despite the name, Journal Clubs are not about getting together to write diary entries. (Sorry Bridget Jones!)
They're actually a space to read and discuss research articles chosen by the people who attend. We discuss strengths and weaknesses of the study and consider what the results mean for day-to-day practice. We currently run monthly Journal Club meetings focusing on wider determinants of health. Email us at hdrc@cornwall.gov.uk if you’d like to attend.
Recent events
Surfacing the Meaning of Research
We aim to provide a strong foundation from which to build and grow the HDRC collaboratively.
“Surfacing the Meaning of Research” was an event aimed at everyone who is interested in being part of, or benefiting from, engaging with the HDRC.
The session aimed to:
- surface our diverse understandings of research, and
- its importance for creating a shared appreciation of what research means.
Whilst we can all get on board with fixing health determinants including:
- food
- housing
- debt
- employment, etc
we often have different views of how this should be done.
That’s where research comes in:
- how do we plan
- conduct, and
- use research
in a way that helps us to understand health determinants, their impacts and how to improve them?
This session was for everyone interested in the HDRC, not just those who regularly generate or use research.
The understanding surfaced during the session will also lead into our HDRC work examining skills and priorities for the HDRC.
Introducing realist evaluation and synthesis
Introduction to realist evaluation and synthesis, with Dr Becky Hardwick, Senior Research Fellow, NIHR South West Peninsula Applied Research Collaborative, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth
- Have you ever noticed that even evidence-based public health initiatives only work sometimes, in some places, but not in others and not for everyone?
- Have you ever come up with your own ideas as to why it does or doesn’t work here, with these people, in these settings?
- Are you interested in learning about an approach to evaluation which goes beyond straightforward measures of effectiveness, to explaining how that effectiveness might be caused?
From did it work, to why did it work, how, for whom and in what circumstances?
This introductory workshop was held on Monday 2nd June 2025.
Aim of the workshop
The aim of the workshops was to develop capacity for evaluation practice and research use.
Over 1 hour, participants learnt about ‘realist evaluation’ and how to use it in practice.