1. The Research Methods Festival is a biennial event which brings together over 800 researchers across the Social Sciences to share knowledge and innovations in research methods and techniques Nottingham Graduate School funding Outcomes I attended a workshop entitled ‘Publishing in journals and the peer review process’. This included presentations on publishing from a publisher’s perspective; an editor’s perspective; a reviewer’s perspective; and a submitting author’s perspective. This was a great session which demystified the whole process of writing and publishing in journals I attended a workshop entitled ‘Publishing in journals and the peer review process’. This included presentations on publishing from a publisher’s perspective; an editor’s perspective; a reviewer’s perspective; and a submitting author’s perspective. This was a great session which demystified the whole process of writing and publishing in journals So why did I want to go? What is the ESRC Research Methods Festival? The most useful workshop Learning about new ways to collect and analyse data One session in particular, entitled ‘Methods at the Boundaries of Social Science and Arts and Humanities’ got me thinking about the nature of what ‘data’ is, and how thinking creatively about research methods can lead to exploring new areas. Meeting other researchers Nothing gets you more enthused than hearing about what other people are doing and it was a great way to make contacts and share advice. Broadening methodological horizons Over the course of a PhD it’s easy to become focussed on the particular research method you are using. Attending this conference gave me a better understanding of the range of research methods available and new innovative ways of collecting data Learning about new ways to collect and analyse data One session in particular, entitled ‘Methods at the Boundaries of Social Science and Arts and Humanities’ got me thinking about the nature of what ‘data’ is, and how thinking creatively about research methods can lead to exploring new areas. Meeting other researchers Nothing gets you more enthused than hearing about what other people are doing and it was a great way to make contacts and share advice. Broadening methodological horizons Over the course of a PhD it’s easy to become focussed on the particular research method you are using. Attending this conference gave me a better understanding of the range of research methods available and new innovative ways of collecting data Where was it? The Research Methods Festival took place in Oxford in July 2014. Luckily the weather held out (see photo for proof) I applied for funding from the Nottingham Graduate School in order to attend the ESRC Research Methods Festival. Their application encouraged me to think about how this would benefit my research and career I applied for funding from the Nottingham Graduate School in order to attend the ESRC Research Methods Festival. Their application encouraged me to think about how this would benefit my research and career To gain better understanding of the range of research methods out there To help explore possible different avenues of research in the future To meet and network with other social scientists To gain better understanding of the range of research methods out there To help explore possible different avenues of research in the future To meet and network with other social scientists