13 October 2026
Invitation to participate in independent research on Reflective Supervision in the Methodist Church (2021-2026)
Dear Friends,
You are invited to take part in an independent research study conducted by the Susanna Wesley Foundation, evaluating the 2021–2026 Reflective Supervision Policy across the Methodist Church. The study explores how supervision is working in practice, including its impact on wellbeing, safeguarding, ministerial practice and culture, and how the research findings may inform the next policy from 2027.
Survey now open across the Connexion
A Connexion‑wide confidential survey (15–20 minutes) is now available and open to all who engage in Reflective Supervision both those who are receiving supervision (supervisees) as well as supervisors.
The closing date is 31 October, 2026.
Full survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/52Z9XYD
For those who previously took part in the pilot
A small number of participants from one district kindly completed an earlier pilot version of the survey. Based on their feedback, one additional question has been added to the final instrument.
If you completed the pilot, you are not expected to complete the full survey again. Instead, you are invited to respond only to the single additional follow‑up question here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y7QBJRB
Other ways to participate
Alongside the survey, you may also register interest in:
- Online focus group (by role type) 90 minutes.
- 45–60-minute 1-1 interview (digital, in person on request if digital participation is inaccessible).
- Creative participation: optional journalling exercise, creative image/artefact collection.
- Optional Listening Space
As part of the qualitative phase of this research, optional listening spaces will be offered for ministers who feel that aspects of their identity or lived experience are not always well heard in Connexional processes.
These will be voluntary spaces where participants can speak freely about their distinct experience of supervision if they wish. While the researcher will facilitate the meeting (managing invitees and opening the meeting), the spaces themselves will be peer-led by attendees shaping the conversation, rather than the researcher.
Why you?
Your experience as is valuable to understanding what is working well, and what could be improved, in the current Reflective Supervision policy (2021-2026). We are seeking a wide range of perspectives across cultural backgrounds, genders, neurotypes, disabilities, and ministry contexts.
Independence, confidentiality and ethics
The research is conducted by Dr Eilidh Galbraith, research officer at Susanna Wesley Foundation, and is independent of the Methodist Church.
Participation is voluntary; you may withdraw as outlined in the Participant Information Sheet. Contributions will be fully anonymised. Ethical approval has been granted by the SWF Ethical Review Board.
The supervision administrative team have functioned as gatekeepers for all contact details used for participant recruitment and informing sharing about this research- no email addresses or personal details have been shared with the researcher, or beyond the connexional staff who have existing GDPR permission. Only once you have chosen to respond to the research invitation, will your email address be shared with the researcher for follow up.
Next steps
- Read the Participant Information Sheet here.
- Complete the short screening form here to register interest in a focus group, interview, or listening space and to tell us about any adjustments you need.
- If you have any further questions, contact Dr Eilidh Galbraith at Eilidh.galbraith@roehampton.ac.uk
If you have any questions or queries you would prefer to raise independently of the researcher, please contact George Clayton, Executive Officer SWF, at George.clayton@roehampton.ac.uk.
Thank you for considering this invitation.
Kind regards,
Dr Eilidh Galbraith
Research Officer, Susanna Wesley Foundation