European Congress of Qualitative Inquiry

After 12 successful editions of the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry from our partner at Illinois University in the US, we are pleased to announce that the first European edition of the congress will be hosted in the beautiful city of Leuven, Belgium. The venue of ECQI 2017 will be KU Leuven.

The 1st edition of the European Congress of Qualitative Inquiry is a unique event for sharing knowledge and seeking new collaboration and partnerships. It provides opportunities for addressing the common challenges that qualitative researchers face in their own geographical regions or research disciplines. Most importantly the Congress is a lively event, providing ample opportunities for interacting with friends and colleagues and learning about the latest developments and innovations in qualitative inquiry. Following the example of ICQI, we offer you a space where you may feel comfortable experimenting with new ideas and critical thoughts and push the boundaries of what we currently perceive as best practice in qualitative research. More information at the congress website

Sofie Sergeant (DSiN), Alice Schippers (DSiN), Geert Van Hove (VU/ Ghent University) and Henriette Sandvoort (LFB) will present at this congress. Their presentation, titled "Working together, learning together: participatory research is a verb" will take place on thursday February 9, 2017 from 16:00 - 17:30 h.

Symposium Working together, learning together: participatory research is a verb

Four people give their insights on the act of participatory research. Photographs, clear text, film and speech guide us through the participatory research project ‘Working together, learning together’. 

Henriette Sandvoort: Time for ‘Working together, learning together’ 

Starting with a film, we open up the discussion on the jargon we use in research and on the important researchissue like ‘keeping up with deadlines and precious time'. Henriette gives us insight in her experiences of being a researcher. She talks on the consequences of participatory research on the images we have of people labeled with disabilities.

Sofie Sergeant: No more boring research

Sofie quotes from her logbook. Her personal story from this journal comes with photos and text. This story starts with: “They told me that my co-researcher has a visual and intellectual disability. In our first meeting with my co-researcher, she tells me she is aware of my disability: a lack of structure. And I don’t have to worry. She can support me with that." 

Alice Schippers: Qualitative Research and Disability Studies: bringing in the voice of the participants in the study 

"Nothing about us, without us!’ Disability Studies in the Netherlands strives for good quality of life and participation for people with disabilities and for an inclusive and welcoming society. Alice talks on the importance of research in which people with disabilities are highly involved in various roles. 

Geert Van Hove: Participatory Inquiry for Dummies 

Geert confronts us with the fact that - in participatory research - the people ‘without disabilities’ often are ‘the dummies’. How can we learn from people with disabilities and how can we - together - become better disability-studies-researchers? In what ways may participatory research have impact on the quality and reflexivness of qualitative research?

Project 'Samen werken, samen leren'

Evaluatie-onderzoek 'Samen werken, samen leren'