Learning from adapting an established face-to-face peer research approach to remote delivery during the Covid-19 pandemic

This case study describes how an established peer research approach was adapted from face-to-face to remote delivery in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. It will introduce the benefits and challenges of peer research in general and how this translates to the virtual domain. We will highlight strengths of a remote approach as well as reflecting on how to compensate for key components of participatory work which usually require the academic researcher to be physically present in the area. The peer research project discussed here was part of an evaluation of a national empowerment programme in areas experiencing disadvantage. In two previous rounds of peer research, peer researchers took part in two days of face-to-face training and a one-day workshop to analyse the data. This project involved peer researchers exploring residents’ experiences of ‘gatekeepers’ in their community (‘gatekeepers’ were defined as anyone who makes decisions on whether others can access services, support or funding). Training, support, data collection, and analysis had to be adapted to be remote, with specific attention to building trust, tailoring content for shorter online training, and the ethics of a) whether it was appropriate to carry out research at all during the pandemic and b) how to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the peer researchers and research participants. This case study is a collaboration between the academic researcher and community worker involved in the project and serves as a means of reflecting on the process of participatory research and to further build on the partnership.