About the VAWGRN
The VAWGRN was created after the Middlesex University PV-C Director of Knowledge Transfer, Mark Gray approached Miranda Horvath and suggested that she should put together a consortia of researchers on VAWG to work together for funding applications.
Mark Gray provided guidance and day to day support was given by Tomi Ayodeji from the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office. Miranda reached out to her networks, there was some consultation via email and an initial meeting took place in September 2019 at Middlesex University.
Initially, the idea was to create a standing consortium that would work together to shape projects focussed on VAWG, search for substantial funding to conduct it, and decide on strategies for identifying and securing it, with the aim of building a viable consortium of researchers. From the many discussions at the meeting in September 2019 and subsequently via email it was apparent that given the huge range of areas of focus and the feelings of isolation from many researchers it was too soon to create a standing consortium for funding applications. There was, however, great enthusiasm for the creation of a network through which people can connect and work together to develop the research, policy and practice agenda and bring a future without VAWG closer.
From the initial meeting, a few people stepped up and offered to help with developing the network. An initial meeting was planned for May 2020, however due to the Covid19 pandemic we instead began holding webinars online. The webinars and the team organising them have grown since then. We have also been able to expand creating sub-groups centred on the development of a Research Events Working Group (REWG) an Early Career Researcher (ECR) network and Specialist Interest Groups (SIG). In May 2021 we became proud members of the End Violence Against Women Coalition. We will continue to grow and develop working closely with EVAW, so this narrative is a work in progress.
Our Priorities
Researching VAWG is tough; it can be lonely and overwhelming. The VAWGRN is a space for finding other researchers to support one another, and to develop new (and reignite old) collaborations.
The network is committed to providing safe spaces where researchers can share their knowledge, research findings and work in progress.
VAWG research has often overlooked the experiences of women and girls from marginalised communities, we include trans and non-binary people, and recognise the tension with the network’s name. The VAWGRN is committed working in ways that challenge ableism, racism, classism, heteronormativity. The network is committed to the Anti-Racism Working Group from the VAWG Sector call and is working to adopt its principles and values. The network accepts that this is a work in progress and always welcomes feedback on how to do better.
This is fundamental to the VAWGRN. We are so invested in this idea that we held a webinar devoted to it. As a network we accept that we aren’t always going to agree, conversations won’t always be easy and comfortable but by accepting this the network can provide spaces where researchers can discuss difficult, complicated topics and tasks without fear of recrimination. The network aims to provide its members with the opportunity to come together in spaces where respectful constructive criticism and challenge is the norm.
The network takes every opportunity to celebrate and raise the profile of its members achievements.
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VAWGRN
How we work
Apart from Tomi Ayodeji and Pesi Belau’s time, which was funded by Middlesex University from 2019-2021, the VAWGRN is led by a team of volunteers all of whom are researchers from a variety of backgrounds with a range of experiences and we are keen to diversify further. The only criteria for being part of the steering group is that someone is actively engaged in researching VAWG and has some time they can put towards developing the network.
VAGWRN steering group meetings are held bi-monthly and last between 1-1.5 hours. Sub-groups have been developed for focused areas of work like the ECR network and SIGs. These groups meet monthly and feed into the leadership team meetings.
The VAWGRN steering group embraces all values and all perspectives. Everyone is encouraged to collaborate within and outside of the group to develop the network and their own skills. We do not always agree but we are committed to working together through whatever tensions may arise.
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Since its inception the network has been committed to providing an inclusive and supportive space for all its members. The Steering Committee has been having discussions for over a year about the goals of our network, one of which is to be an inclusive space for research and collaboration.
Announcement of name change
We have discussed whether the name of our network is a good fit, and particularly whether it communicates that this network is also a space for non-binary, trans and gender-non-conforming research and researchers. Our concern was that our name (Violence Against Women & Girls Research Network) may unintentionally be acting as a barrier for trans, non-binary and gender-non-conforming colleagues to join us. We want a name for the network that accurately reflects both the researchers in our network and the research they are conducting. In the Autumn of 2021, we conducted a short survey of network members to obtain their views. Approximately a fifth of the members completed the survey. There was an even split in responses in favour and against a name change. Responses addressed the tension between the discussion we are having, often acknowledging the importance and need for inclusion as well as highlighting the value of spaces that specifically address violence against women and girls.
The VAWGRN Steering Committee reviewed and analysed the survey responses individually and discussed them during a committee meeting in January 2022. Following the meeting we held an anonymous vote including the options to keep the name the same or change it. The outcome of the vote (7 versus 5) is that the name of the network will stay the same however we will start using a long strapline: An inclusive and intersectional space dedicated to research that is by and for women of all backgrounds and identities, holding things in tension, stronger together and a short strapline: An inclusive space for all women, stronger together to emphasise that we are an intersectional and inclusive space (context will determine which strapline will be used e.g. short one on twitter, long one on the website). We will review this decision in five years’ time.
We were overwhelmed with the time, care and thoughtfulness members put into their answers so as a result in the summer we will be putting together a longer piece which provides much more detail and nuance about the process we’ve been through, the survey findings and the challenges of holding things in tension.