Participatory research that puts communities at the centre.
We are an independent research consultancy working with charities, public bodies, universities and international organisations. We design and deliver qualitative research, evaluation, facilitation, co-production and training: producing findings that reach the people who need them.
Five ways we can help.
Most projects draw on more than one of these areas. They are the ways rigorous research and genuine community involvement come together.
Designing and delivering studies that reach the people and questions that matter most.
Evidence organisations can learn from and funders find credible.
Community processes that bring people together around difficult questions.
Involving communities as genuine partners in the questions, methods and findings.
Bespoke training for research teams and organisations in participatory methods.
Selected projects.
A selection of projects across our five service areas.
Research · ESRC-funded research at King’s College London with Iranian and Afghan sanctuary-seeking communities and organisations
The Asylum Process and Mental Health
Long-term qualitative and participatory research examining how asylum policy, institutions and everyday life shape mental health and coping.
Evaluation · Lambeth PAC
Supporting Violence-Affected Youth
Embedded participatory research with the Lambeth Peer Action Collective at High Tress Community Trust, engaging over 300 young people in Brixton as researchers of their own experience.
Co-production · Lambeth Community Research Network: High Trees, IRMO, Stockwell Partnership and other LRCN partners
Community-Based Ethics Review for Lambeth
Co-designing a community-led ethics review pathway for research involving Lambeth communities outside conventional university systems.
Co-production · King’s College London, Survivor Alliance, Helen Bamber Foundation, University of East London and University of Nottingham; funded by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre / AHRC
Modern Slavery Core Outcome Set
Survivor-driven research defining the minimum outcomes that should be measured when evaluating support for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Training · University of Oxford research team and project interpreters / cultural mediators
Participatory Research Training with Sanctuary Seekers
Bespoke training helping an Oxford/Athens migration-health team translate participatory principles into roles, decisions and methods that work in practice.
In their own words.
Research rooted in over a decade of practice.
Open Routes Research was founded by Dr Sohail Jannesari: researcher, consultant and author with over ten years of experience in participatory, qualitative and creative methods. His work spans migration and mental health, health inequalities, community-based ethics, survivor-led research and creative methods.
Dr Sohail Jannesari has worked with the UK Health Security Agency, King’s College London, the World Health Organisation, Doctors of the World, and many others. His research has shaped national policy, been published in leading academic journals, and been presented at international conferences.
Ready to talk?
Every project starts with a conversation. Whether you have a brief or just an idea, we would be glad to hear from you.