I write this blog with mixed emotions: after six months of intense work with the SPRINT project at the University of Birmingham, it’s time to say goodbye and return to Brazil. I can’t start this letter without first thanking the SPRINT project team for the opportunity to be here, to work together, and to learn so much from each person.
My main objective over these six months was to conduct an evaluation phase of my PhD, an intervention study carried out in Brazil. In another blog post, I share more about the journey of this study (Crossing the ocean to learn and exchange: Vanessa joins the SPRINT Project!). With all my data from various sources in hand, I came to Birmingham with the challenge of compiling these multi-source data, understanding them, and organising them for a more comprehensive evaluation using the training process evaluation model called the New World Kirkpatrick Model.
On my last day on campus, I took this photo with two Brazilian friends, who were also on scholarship like me, and with Old Joe.
Image description: A selfie with my friends
Gustavo and Verônica in the foreground.
In the background, we see the garden,
the UoB building, and Old Joe on a cloudy day.
It was a big challenge for me, but with the support and guidance of Dr Mary Quinton, I was able to navigate a clear path to carry out these analyses. First, I immersed myself in studies to learn more about the New World Kirkpatrick Model (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2021). Then, we worked on building a comprehensive framework to apply my data within this model. Following this, I dedicated myself to studying qualitative evaluation for part of my data, using a method I hadn’t previously worked with but was able to learn a lot about: reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2021). I have dived into analysing individual interviews and the processes of deductive and inductive analyses. We also worked on understanding how my quantitative data could contribute to this evaluation and how it would fit into the model. In the end, we could apply these findings to the New World Kirkpatrick Model.
Our work now is to share these findings with our peers through scientific communication, in the form of a manuscript. A lot of work was done, and I had the privilege of learning from Mary, with her sensitive, reflective, and attentive approach! Soon, we’ll have this publication ready, and we’ll be happy to share it.
During my internship at UoB, I was able to attend the World Public Health Nutrition Congress in London.
Image description: A photo of me presenting
part of my doctoral research at the congress
I am also grateful for all the learning I experienced with the SPRINT team. Working closely with the research group, participating in discussions during meetings, and connecting with people was a valuable learning experience about teamwork and offered other perspectives and research references. We have many shared approaches, and this was a major learning experience.
Living in Birmingham, in the UK, for half a year also provided me with many personal lessons, which have been incredibly important to me. I also made friends here, Brazilian friends from the same state as me whom I only met here at UoB, and friends who are part of Birmingham’s forró (the pronunciation in Brazilian Portuguese is foh-hoh) community (a Brazilian music and dance scene).
As well as dancing forró, I also played with these friends I made here in Birmingham.
Image description: Photo of Dave, Renata,
Ricardo and me playing and singing forró,
with some typical instruments:
accordion, triangle and tambourine
For the next months, we’ll continue working together, remotely now, but with a wealth of shared experience. I hope to see everyone again very soon!
References
Braun V, Clarke V. Thematic Analysis: a practical guide. SAGE Publications; 2021. 1–376.
Kirkpatrick J, Kirkpatrick WK. An Introduction to The New World Kirkpatrick Model. 2021.
Written by Vanessa del Castillo Silva Couto
Image credit: Vanessa del Castillo Silva Couto
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