Events

Hard-to-Reach Populations: Applied Research Methods with Hidden, Marginal, and Excluded Populations – in person course

Date: 18th to 21st August 2025
Location: Nuffield College, Oxford, UK

Hard-to-Reach Populations: Applied Research Methods with Hidden, Marginal, and Excluded Populations – 2nd International Conference

Date: 21st to 22nd August 2025
Location: Nuffield College, Oxford, UK


Focussing on Hard-to-Reach populations, the course provides an introduction to research methods in conducting research, both qualitative and quantitative, on marginal, hidden and excluded population such as children, migrants, vulnerable groups, indigenous people, refugees and displaced people, sex workers, homeless people, drug users, and victims of conflicts, violence or trafficking.

Aimed to promote action-oriented research, the course introduces the main theories and research approaches on exclusion and marginalization using different frameworks and techniques. It addresses the dangers associate with the lack of systematic use of solid research methodology, ethics, data collection and analysis in the formulation and evaluation of policies and program.

The Applied Research course is planned to run in its original face-to-face format this year. The course will take place during morning and afternoon. Students are expected to be available full time and be actively engaged in experiencing the different methods.

To maintain as much of the spirit of sharing between practitioner and academic researchers, we will include activities to facilitate interaction and collaboration among participants. These will include research presentations from students as well as joint simulation and real-life exercises.

In case of any travel or mobility limitation, we will be able to offer this course in a live, hybrid training format, combining online training and real-life application of all the presented research methods at the location of students.

The course is organized in collaboration with UNICEF.

Objectives

The course aims to enable participants to undertake empirical research with marginal and hidden populations, and seeks to encourage participants to develop methodological strategies for the collection and analysis of such data.

The course will provide tools to address key issues such as the lack of known sampling frame, the difficulties in reaching the target group; the concepts of impact, attribution and contribution; and the political dimension of research findings. The course explores topics such as basic and advanced estimation and sampling techniques; participatory research; evidence-based policy versus policy-based evidence; innovation, crowdsourcing and the use of technology; the art of combining qualitative and quantitative methods; and ethical considerations arising when conducting research with hidden and marginalized populations. It covers quantitative techniques such as adaptive cluster sampling, capture and recapture, RDS (Respondent Driven Sampling), network analysis, as well as participatory research methods.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in research methods and design. An interest in the topic and some practical research experience, or an acquaintance with applied research, would be helpful.

Provisional Structure

This intensive full time course is structured in morning and afternoon sessions. Participants will be encouraged to present their past/ongoing/future work to be used and discussed during the course. Combining both taught and practical sessions, the main emphasis of the course is on acquiring practical skills in doing research.

A copy of all the articles in the bibliography will be provided during the course.

Tuition Fee

UNICEF/NGO – £950.00
Commercial – £1.100.00

If you are not sure which option applies to you, contact Melanie Sawers at melanie.sawers@nuffield.ox.ac.uk.

The fee does not include accommodation, food or travel costs, but all essential material for the course.

If you need to cancel your course participation, please notify us as soon as possible at melanie.sawers@nuffield.ox.ac.uk. Note that cancellations notified after 1st July 2025, as well as failure to attend, will not be entitled to any form of refund. Prior to 1st July all cancellations will incur £50 administration fee and the difference will be refunded to you in the form of your original payment.

Instructor

Andrea Rossi is the former Director of the Harvard Measurement and Human Rights Programme at Harvard Kennedy School of Government (USA) and currently works as Senior Advisor on Social Policy and Economic Analysis for the United Nations in East Asia. Previously he worked in Mozambique, Nepal, New York and a research coordinator at the UNICEF Innocenti Research Center. He is an economist with a particular focus on development and applied research. He coordinated research projects in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe, as well as developing specific research methodologies on children’s issues. He has previously worked for the International Labour Organization in the East Africa Area Office, Tanzania where he was in charge of research and statistics. His main areas of interest are applied research methodology; combining qualitative and quantitative methods; applied micro econometrics; and participatory approaches. He has conducted research on human rights, child labour and child trafficking, prostitution, homeless people, illegal migrants, refugees and displaced people. He has been teaching Research Methods with Hidden ad Marginal Populations for more than 15  years at the Essex School of Social Sciences Data Analysis,  at the World Bank International Development Evaluation Training (IPDET), at the University of Milan, and with the United Nations.


Nuffield College (University of Oxford), in partnership with the UNICEF is delighted to host the 2nd International Conference on Hard-to-Reach Populations: Applied Research Methods with Hidden, Marginal, and Excluded Populations on Thursday, 21st to Friday, 22nd August 2025 at Nuffield College, Oxford, UK.

We welcome submissions from international academics, researchers, policymakers, activists, practitioners, early-career researchers, postgraduate students, and other underrepresented groups in academic conferences.

This conference is part of the CESS–UNICEF ongoing collaboration, which includes the organization of the annual course on Applied Research Methods with Hidden, Marginal, and Excluded Populations. The course will be held the same week, from Monday, 18th to Thursday, 21st of August. Former students of the course are particularly encouraged to submit papers.

Convenors

  • Ray Duch (University of Oxford)
  • Andrea Rossi (UNICEF)

Conference Themes and Objectives

The conference will focus on promoting robust qualitative and quantitative research methods for hidden, marginal, and excluded populations and explore the latest advancements in defining methodological strategies for data collection and analysis.

Key topics that may be discussed include

  • Advanced and basic estimation and sampling techniques;
  • Innovation and use of technology in reaching marginalized populations;
  • Participatory research methods;
  • Combining qualitative and quantitative methods;
  • Ethical considerations for conducting research with marginalized populations.

The goal of the conference is to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration between academics, researchers, practitioners, activists, and other critical thinkers to promote innovative ideas and new perspectives on the challenges of conducting research with hidden and marginalized populations.

Ethical Guidelines

Given the sensitive nature of research involving hidden, marginalized, and excluded populations, the conference places a significant emphasis on ethical considerations. Submissions must include a discussion of ethical frameworks used in research design.

Proposed Panels

1. Innovations in Sampling Hard-to-Reach Populations

This panel will explore new and creative approaches for sampling hidden, marginalized, and excluded groups. Topics might include respondent-driven sampling, network-based approaches, and the use of digital tools to reach hard-to-access populations.

2. Estimating the Magnitude: Advanced Techniques for Estimating Hidden Populations

This panel will explore innovative estimation techniques aimed at accurately quantifying the size of hidden or hard-to-reach populations. Topics might include Bayesian estimation, capture-recapture methods, small area estimation, and the integration of administrative data with survey data. Presenters will focus on overcoming the challenges of data sparsity and measurement errors, highlighting case studies from various fields including health, migration, and social services.

3. Ethical Challenges in Researching Vulnerable Populations

This panel will focus on the unique ethical issues that arise when researching vulnerable populations, including obtaining informed consent, balancing risk and benefit, and ensuring data privacy. Case studies will be used to highlight best practices and common pitfalls.

4. Mixed-Methods Approaches: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Research with Marginalized Populations

This session will delve into how combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies can provide richer and more nuanced insights into the experiences of marginalized populations. Presenters will discuss the challenges and benefits of integrating these methods in research.

5. Technology and Innovation in Data Collection

This panel will showcase the latest innovations in data collection, including the use of mobile technology, social media platforms, and remote sensing to gather data from hard-to-reach populations. Presenters will highlight case studies and discuss the practical and ethical implications of these methods.

6. Participatory Research Methods: Giving Voice to Marginalized Communities

This panel will examine participatory approaches to research, where marginalized populations are not only subjects but also co-creators of knowledge. Presenters will discuss how to empower communities, include them in the research process, and ensure that research benefits those being studied.

7. Applying Research to Policy and Practice: Bridging the Gap for Marginalized Groups

The final panel will focus on how research can be translated into actionable policy and practice to address the needs of hidden, marginalized, and excluded populations. Presenters will discuss challenges in ensuring that research informs decision-making and improves outcomes for these groups.

Proposing New Panels

In addition to the panels listed above, participants are also encouraged to propose new panel ideas. To propose a panel, please submit a title and a brief description of the panel theme along with suggestions for at least three different papers that would fit under the proposed topic. Panel proposals should focus on innovative research methods and approaches related to hidden, marginalized, and excluded populations.

Important Dates

  • Abstract submission deadline: 28th February 2025
  • Decision date: 15th April 2025

Submission Guidelines

Please submit a title not exceeding 50 words and an abstract of approximately 180 words. As this is a methods-focused conference, the abstract should detail the methodology used, highlight any challenges encountered, and discuss the potential implications and future possibilities. Submissions must include a discussion on how ethical challenges were addressed. Once your proposal is accepted by the conference committee, you will be asked to submit the full article before the conference.