Gavin Myers

My research explores the Caribbean Diaspora organizations in the United Kingdom and the role Identity plays in how they collaborate. Using a Research Oriented Action research approach, and grounded in the Theory of Collaborative Advantage, I am exploring how collaboration happens and the decisions that are being made by formal and informal groupings of Caribbean people in the United Kingdom. As conceptualized, the research is qualitative and exploratory and will use different methods of enquiry and data collection, including participatory workshops, focus groups and interviews. 

The United Kingdom has, over the last several decades - and including most recently in relation to issues such as the Windrush scandal and Covid-19 - become more and more difficult for BAME people generally and especially the Caribbean diaspora to live in and work. Specific and clear policies rooted in racism and discrimination, along with a general lack of support have had an impact on all aspects of life in the country. Organizations of the Caribbean Diaspora have responded to this in various ways, including developing collaborative approaches to serve their constituents.

I would like to understand how the decisions on collaboration happen. I want to see the role that identity plays in the decision making with a view to seeing the patterns that emerge among the organizations. I come to the research as a member of the Caribbean Diaspora and as someone who has worked with Third Sector organizations in Jamaica across the Caribbean region.