Expanding Conceptual and Methodological Boundaries (2019)

Expanding Conceptual and Methodological Boundaries

It was our pleasure to be asked to help produce the Inaugural Australasia & Pacific Regional Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA) 2019 Conference which was held at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand 4 – 6 December 2019.

Our objective was to bring together a multi-disciplinary group from across our region in order to;

• Identify new opportunities for collaborative partnerships
• Provide a venue for mixed methods researchers and practitioners to hear about current research in our region
• Through workshops provide an opportunity for mixed-methods researchers to share and enhance their skills and knowledge
• Provide an opportunity for students to showcase their research
• Establish the Australasia & Pacific MMIRA Regional Chapter

International keynote presenters included:

• Prof. Pat Bazeley – Theorising integration: implications for practice
• Associate Prof. Caryn West – Mixed Methods in cross-cultural situations
• Prof. Elizabeth Creamer – Exploring Methodological Boundaries: Rotating Five Vantage Points about Mixed Methods Research

The Australasia and Pacific MMIRA 2019 Regional Conference brought together a multi-disciplinary group of researchers, educators, practitioners, leaders and students who use a mixed-methods approach to understand complex problems. Current research from our region will be presented, new opportunities for strengthening the mixed-methods research network in the Australasian Pacific region will be provided and workshops will promote the transfer of skills and knowledge from experts in the field.

The MMIRA 2019 Regional Conference will include the following interdisciplinary themes;

• Integrating methods across conceptual and methodological boundaries
• Mixed methods across cultures
• Addressing social complexity and wicked problems
• Migration of people within and across the Australasia & Pacific region
• Mixed methods in practice – managing the process