Dr Calvin Swords has been awarded a Research Ireland New Foundations Grant in partnership with Shine: Mental Health Support, Advocacy, Education for a 12-month project entitled ‘In Our Own Words: A Participatory Exploration of Employment and Social Inclusion Among People with Mental Health Challenges’. This project, co-produced with Shine Ireland, seeks to explore the impact of employment on experiences of social inclusion for individuals living with mental health challenges. Drawing on participatory and qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups & material ethnography), the project will document the lived experiences of individuals navigating employment, while also capturing the perspectives of employers who are part of Shine's Workplace Programme.