Helen Kara
banner
drhelenkara.bsky.social
Helen Kara
@drhelenkara.bsky.social

Independent researcher, author, teacher, speaker. For hire worldwide. https://linktr.ee/helenkara She/her. 🌈 #ActuallyAutistic

Public Health 15%
Sociology 12%

Another great year for the International Creative Research Methods Conference!

Read our reflections, feedback, and plans for 2026 including a new and exciting initiative: helenkara.com/2025/11/11/i...

Also, ticket prices remain unchanged since 2023!

#CreativeResearchMethods #ICRMC2025
Creative Research Methods Conference 2025
The International Creative Research Methods Conference is an annual gathering for academics of all disciplines who are interested in using creative methods in their research.
creativeresearchmethods.com

So much research happens about us without us.
@autgeek.bsky.social and I co-wrote this piece for @isrfoundation.bsky.social on why lived experience needs to be central to research, not an afterthought.

isrf.org/blog/why-is-...

#ResearchWithUs #ExpertsByExperience #Inclusion
Why Is There So Much Research About Us Without Us?
isrf.org

Reposted by Helen Kara

Why Is There So Much Research About Us Without Us?

@drhelenkara.bsky.social and @autgeek.bsky.social outline why #neurodivergent led research is essential to building trust in communities and affirming neurodivergent ways of being.

isrf.org/blog/why-is-...
Why Is There So Much Research About Us Without Us?
isrf.org

There is a new post on my blog: Writing Is Like A Fish In A River

Writing flows, stalls, loops, restarts. Shallow starts, meanders, dams, estuaries.

Hard? Yes. Normal? Absolutely.

Read here 👉 helenkara.com/2025/10/06/w...

#Writing #WritingProcess #FlowState #CRMethods
Writing Is Like A Fish In A River
Writing is difficult, whether it is academic or other writing. Writing is difficult for novices and difficult for experienced writers. If you find writing difficult, that is not because you’re stup…
helenkara.com

New on my YouTube channel! 📚

Ever wondered what’s involved in editing an academic book? This video walks you through the process step by step — from first idea to publication.

Watch here: youtu.be/gg-H49OKFz0

#AcademicPublishing #BookEditing #ResearchLife
112 Editing Academic Books - The Process
YouTube video by Helen Kara
youtu.be

🚨 Proposals are rolling in for #ICRMC2026 — have you sent yours yet?

If you’re doing creative research (or thinking about it), now’s the time to share your work with an amazing community.

✨ Don’t miss your chance to be part of it:
creativeresearchmethods.com

#CreativeResearchMethods #ICRMC
Creative Research Methods Conference 2025
The International Creative Research Methods Conference is an annual gathering for academics of all disciplines who are interested in using creative methods in their research.
creativeresearchmethods.com

💡 ICYMI: Submissions are open for #ICRMC2026 – and ideas are already coming in!

We’re seeing amazing ideas from across disciplines, all exploring creative ways to do and share research.

Find out more here 👉 creativeresearchmethods.com

#CreativeResearch #CreativeMethods #ICRMC
Creative Research Methods Conference 2025
The International Creative Research Methods Conference is an annual gathering for academics of all disciplines who are interested in using creative methods in their research.
creativeresearchmethods.com

Still places for this one - and it doesn't run often. Also will include pre-publication info from forthcoming book edited by @draimeegrant.bsky.social and me policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/using-docume... don't miss out!

Oh FFS!!! Grow up, everyone! BTW you were right, I'm loving South Africa.

From PhD chats about research ethics to nearly 30 years of collaboration with Lucy Pickering — it’s been quite a journey!

We’re now calling for chapters on experiences of research ethics review. Deadline: 30 Nov 2025.

More info here: helenkara.com/2025/10/08/e...

#EthicsReview #CallforChapters
Ethics Review In Practice
I have known Lucy Pickering for a long time. I first met her almost 30 years ago through a mutual friend, and I got to know her well some years later when we were doing our PhDs at the same time. W…
helenkara.com

Lucy Pickering and I first talked about research ethics nearly 30 years ago. Now we’re launching a call for chapters on experiences of ethics review.

Deadline: 30 Nov 2025

More here 👉 helenkara.com/2025/10/08/e...

#ResearchEthics #CallforChapters #EthicsReview
Ethics Review In Practice
I have known Lucy Pickering for a long time. I first met her almost 30 years ago through a mutual friend, and I got to know her well some years later when we were doing our PhDs at the same time. W…
helenkara.com
With yet another university hosted event closed to 'non academics' (aka those not employed by a university)* I'm just going to leave this piece by @drhelenkara.bsky.social and myself here blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...

* yes I know it's utter nonsense and academics/researchers exist outside unis
Institutional affiliation should not be a requirement for doing research - Impact of Social Sciences
Universities espouse a universalist approach to creating research-based knowledge. Helen Kara & Petra Boynton argue, from the outside these claims are hollow.
blogs.lse.ac.uk

📢 Call for Contributions is open for #ICRMC 2026! Find out more here: creativeresearchmethods.com

We're also excited to announce the ICRMC 2026 keynotes: Ranjita Dhital and Alastair Roy — ready to spark debate and inspire new ways of thinking.

#ICRMC26 #CRMethods #creativeresearch

Reposted by Helen Kara

Helen Kara is in Cape Town to give the keynote speech at #CREATE2025!

Browse many of Helen Kara's excellent books, published by Policy Press.

Helen Kara: https://ow.ly/GHfT50X3xkG

Both #ICRMC25 keynotes are now on YouTube – free to watch! 🎉

🎤 @jacqpriego.bsky.social – Teaching and Learning Creative Research Methods (youtu.be/nAJC7vksV5c)

🎤 @amltaylor66.bsky.social – Postdigital Creative Research (youtu.be/KiL6c4m1fZk)

#CreativeResearchMethods #ICRMC

It was lovely to have you both there - I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to chat. Thank you for your kind words!

Reposted by Helen Kara

With the republication of 'Actress' by Yvonne Mitchell in December 2025. A review and the issues around high pricing attached to these reprints, where, who can afford. Thank you
@drhelenkara.bsky.social whom I quote. #YvonneMitchell open.substack.com/pub/wheelzwh...
Actress Yvonne Mitchell
Actress.
open.substack.com

Thanks so much for all your support for, and valuable contributions to, #ICRMC through the years. I heard several good reports of your workshop this year (and no bad ones, in case you were wondering!). See you next Sept if not before!

Reposted by Helen Kara

@nmwarne.bsky.social #ICRMC25 use of Bunting for reflection on research- story of co-producing an art and wellbeing programme for schools @drhelenkara.bsky.social

Book recommendation from @amltaylor66.bsky.social during her excellent keynote on day two of #ICRMC25 www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/adam-... - about the power - and misuse of power - of a handful of tech billionaires
More Everything Forever
This "wild and utterly engaging narrative" (Melanie Mitchell) shows why Silicon Valley’s heartless, baseless, and foolish obsessions—with escaping death,...
www.hachettebookgroup.com

Reposted by Helen Kara

From the ISRF Blog: Can #HigherEducation be a neurodivergent-affirming space without funding?

@drhelenkara.bsky.social argues that better understandings and practices can emerge through supporting the work of #Neurodivergent researchers themselves.

isrf.org/blog/can-hig...
isrf.org
Yay for #JCRM journal launch and cupcakes, with @edwina-thorn.bsky.social Sophie Woodward Harriet Shortt and @drhelenkara.bsky.social @bupjournals.bsky.social

Reposted by Helen Kara

Today, I virtually attended #ICRMC25

In addition to phenomenal presentations, I've been astounded by the care extended to the online community - this hybrid event has set the bar high!

I've sewn, collaged, painted, and doodled throughout. I am mentally exhausted in the best way #perfect

Reposted by Virginia Braun

Great keynote from @jacqpriego.bsky.social kicking off #ICRMC25 - I particularly enjoyed the part about pleasure, fun, and joy as spaces of resistance for researchers ❤️
Some introductions and overview from @drhelenkara.bsky.social and then we are starting with the Keynote by Jacqueline Priego Hernandez: Teaching and Learning Creative Research Methods: Mainstreaming the Subversive?

Reposted by Helen Kara

Some introductions and overview from @drhelenkara.bsky.social and then we are starting with the Keynote by Jacqueline Priego Hernandez: Teaching and Learning Creative Research Methods: Mainstreaming the Subversive?

I am too - it's going to be fun! Thanks for all your support ❤️

Reposted by Helen Kara

Free Palestine.

Thank you - I'm blushing now! 😊

Thank you! It's been a long road but we've reached the destination at last!

Looking good! 🤩