For too long, research has been seen as something that belongs to academics—a world of white coats, PhDs, and complex language. Meanwhile, the care home workforce—the very people who understand the real challenges and possibilities in social care—have often been made to feel like outsiders to that world.
The Two Worlds Need to Connect
There’s a long-standing perception that academia and frontline care exist on completely different wavelengths. On one side, you have researchers with grants, jargon, and publications. On the other, care workers running off their feet, delivering compassionate care under pressure, and often feeling unheard.
But these two worlds shouldn’t be separate. In fact, they need each other.
Care home workers hold the key to impactful, real-world research. They are the ones in the room, day in and day out, caring for residents, noticing patterns, identifying gaps, and, most importantly, understanding what needs to change to improve care. That kind of knowledge can’t be taught in a textbook. It comes from lived experience.
You Don’t Need a Degree to Make a Difference
There’s a belief among many in the care workforce that you need qualifications or academic training to be involved in research. I used to think the same.
I started working in a care home at 18. I was a carer who worked my way up to becoming a registered manager. When I first heard about research, I assumed I wasn’t qualified enough to be involved. But I was wrong.
What I brought wasn’t academic theory—it was lived experience, practical knowledge, and a deep understanding of what actually works in care homes. That is exactly what researchers need. They need partners on the ground, people who can tell them, honestly and clearly, what’s happening and what could be better.
Projects Like VIVALDI Are Changing the Narrative
Thankfully, things are starting to shift. Projects like the VIVALDI Social Care project are working in co-production with care home staff, researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders to ensure that research is not done to care homes, but shaped with them.
The stigma around research is beginning to fade, but we still have a long way to go.
Educating and Empowering the Workforce
For care workers to feel truly included in research, the process needs to meet them where they are. This means using plain, accessible language rather than academic jargon or acronyms that can create unnecessary barriers. Their time and energy must also be respected—many are already stretched thin managing demanding workloads, and research activities must reflect this reality. Accessibility is also key; some care settings are only just transitioning to digital systems, and many staff may not have formal IT training. These challenges need to be acknowledged and supported. Most importantly, care workers must be empowered to recognise the value of their knowledge. Their lived experience gives them unique insights that are essential to creating meaningful, impactful research. They don’t need degrees or qualifications to contribute—what they bring to the table is practical, grounded, and vital.
The Future of Social Care Depends on Them
When care workers are actively involved in research, the potential for positive change in social care grows enormously. Their frontline knowledge can drive innovation, shape policies grounded in real experience, and improve tools and systems to better reflect the realities of care delivery. By including those who work closest with residents, research becomes more than data—it becomes a catalyst for progress. Care teams gain confidence and a sense of ownership in the improvements they help create. It’s clear that lasting change in social care won’t come from the top down; it must begin with the voices and insights of those on the ground, delivering care every day.
You Belong in This Space
To every care worker who’s ever thought, “I’m just a carer”—you’re not just anything. You’re the eyes, ears, and heart of social care. You have more expertise than you realise, and the research world needs that.
I used to feel like I didn’t belong in research. But someone believed in me, and that changed everything. Now, I get to be the person who tells other care home workers: you belong here too.
Research isn’t just for academics. It’s for everyone.
Lucy Knight, VIVALDI Social Care Coordinator, The Outstanding Society.