Fostering a positive research culture through sandpit sessions

When HDRC South Tees was launched in 2023, the Organisational Development (OD) Business Partners from both local authorities identified the need to understand the existing research culture and capacity across all directorates. They undertook a baseline survey and attended meetings with Executive teams to present initial information about the HDRC, and to initiate a conversation about existing research activity and potential barriers to expanding evidence-based practice. This process identified existing research capacity and capability challenges across both local authorities and started to build strong relationships with the HDRC team.  

Following the initial deep dive, and discussions with Teesside University, ‘sandpit’ sessions were proposed as an effective way to continue engagement and start to identify responses to challenges.  

Sandpit sessions are facilitated workshops which aim to generate new ideas and collaborations around research. The name ‘sandpit’ was new to local authority colleagues and generated curiosity and interest in the process. 6 sessions were planned, with senior managers and heads of service from each directorate.  

Each sandpit session lasted between 1-2 hours and was delivered by the OD Business Partners, a Research Coordinator and an academic colleague. The sessions opened with an introduction to the HDRC. Attendees were offered reassurance that sandpits are a safe space where there are no wrong answers and, the main aim of the sessions was to create space for managers to reflect on their practice and learn from each other. Managers were then asked to write what research meant to them, highlighting the many different types of evidence each directorate might engage with. This activity was followed by a group discussion on opportunities and barriers. Teams were asked to consider a current challenge in their service, such an intervention that isn’t currently evaluated, and what question they might like to answer. They then discussed any challenges they might experience when trying to do this. 

After each session, the HDRC team wrote a report that captured potential opportunities and challenges, and the ways in which the HDRC could help the team to overcome these. Clear actions for the HDRC team and senior management were listed to ensure accountability. All attendees were also sent a link to a contact form where they could submit any ideas for research or evidence gathering. This form goes directly to one of the directorate-specific research coordinators, who can offer one to one support to develop ideas. Attendees were also added to a contact list for the quarterly HDRC newsletter, which includes training opportunities and events for local authority colleagues.  

Impact

Around 120 local authority colleagues have taken part in sandpit sessions, this has helped to generate over 150 research ideas linked to local service priorities and community needs. The sessions have effectively raised awareness of the HDRC and the benefits of research-led approaches to service design and delivery. They have also helped to lay the groundwork for a sustainable research culture embedded in daily practice across both local authorities.

In a feedback session held this year, local authority colleagues said they had valued having the time to reflect on their day-to-day delivery and the opportunity to identify where more evidence could be used. 

Next steps 

Building on the momentum from the first sessions, the HDRC is now launching the next phase of sandpit sessions. The next sessions will focus more deeply on priority areas of research interest and encourage cross-sector collaboration with other local authorities, universities and other key stakeholders, such as the police, health providers and the voluntary and community sector.  

Top tips 

• Build supportive spaces – it is essential that colleagues feel valued and recognised for the work they already do, as well as having a safe space where they can explore areas for improvement. The HDRC team made sure that this was built into the design of each workshop and briefings also took place with the academic colleagues helping to run the sessions to ensure all facilitators were on the same page. 

• Map out the resource you need – organising sandpit sessions is resource intensive. Allow time for preparation and follow-up of sessions to ensure all everyone gets maximum benefit from the sessions. 

For more information, please contact HDRC@Middlesbrough.gov.uk.

This learning story was prepared with support from NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health delivered by Newcastle University and Partners. With thanks to NIHR Health Determinants Research South Tees for providing the content for this case study.