The Shine a Light
Narrative Therapy Research Fund
is committed to encouraging and
facilitating rigorous research on
narrative approaches to
individual, family and
community psychosocial
practice (as developed
by Australian Narrative
Therapist,
Michael White).

FUNDING CRITERIA

Specific research projects to be funded by this SHINE A LIGHT NARRATIVE THERAPY RESEARCH FUND may include exploration of:

• Research to contribute to the body of knowledge about what narrative practices best assist people in dealing with distressing predicaments in individual, family, organizational or community contexts;
• Evaluation of the impacts of narrative practice education and training, including partnerships with response teams in communities impacted by collective distressing events; and
• Policy recommendations to assist in individual, family, organizational or community preparedness, response and recovery that may be a consequence of collective distressing events.

CRITERIA FOR FUNDABLE PROJECTS

The SHINE A LIGHT NARRATIVE THERAPY RESEARCH FUND seeks research and action-oriented projects that contribute to at least two of the areas of focus described above. Projects will be evaluated on the basis of how the outcomes will contribute to the enhancement of narrative practices in a variety of settings, and the degree of rigour in the research design. Specifically, the Selection Committee will be looking for: 

• The degree to which the psychosocial work reflects and honours Michael White's approach to narrative practice.
• The degree to which the research proposed is likely to positively advance narrative practices.
• The degree to which the research proposed is likely to positively advance the body of knowledge about what works and what does not work with narrative approaches.
• The extent to which the proposal will add to the body of knowledge on the validity of lived experience and the place of narrative in research.
• The extent to which the research methodology locates the people who are the topic of the research as experts in their own lives.
• The degree to which the research is theory driven or has theoretical underpinnings.
• The degree to which the proposal involves characteristics of rigorous research design:
• Pre and post measures from a diversity of means - self report, behavioural, physical (e.g. illnesses, visits to the doctor, local healers, saliva samples (cortisol) etc.), independent reports (e.g. school teachers, school grades);
• Randomised control design with a control group - either comparison in general population or waitlist; and
• Recognised University Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval / ethics procedures in place, likelihood of being approved extremely high, signalling passing of minimal ethical requirements of the host university/research institution.
• The likelihood that the research will contribute to the body of evidence about Narrative Therapy.
• The likelihood that the research is of a quality to be published in a mainstream psychology/social work/psychiatry/family therapy journal.

PROJECT FUNDING AND DURATION

Projects of $5,000 - $50,000 (USD) may be funded in any given year. The expected project duration will be one year. So that more projects may be funded, preference will be given to projects with smaller budgets that focus on specific populations or applications of narrative practices (if applicable). Larger projects with outstanding rigorous research designs will be considered.

The SHINE A LIGHT NARRATIVE THERAPY RESEARCH FUND encourages applications from international organizations or individuals who represent diversity.

REVIEW PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed annually. Initial screening will be done by a Research Officer. Full review of shortlisted applications will be conducted by a Panel consisting of Members of the International Advisory Board.