Universities call on communities to shape research to solve real-life problems

Universities call on communities to shape research to solve real-life problems

A £2.3 million expansion of a groundbreaking initiative that places locals at the centre of addressing regional concerns is giving community organisations in Leicester and Leicestershire the opportunity to direct university research.

Together with Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, the Universities Partnership—a partnership between the University of Leicester, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), and Loughborough University—is embarking on an unprecedented ambitious project called Co(l)laboratory, which unites academia and the community to promote growth and development, expand opportunities, spur change, and enhance wellbeing.

The innovative project intends to alter the way research is conducted by putting communities in the driving seat and increasing access to research and PhD training courses for exceptional persons from non-traditional academic backgrounds.

Backed by Research England’s Development Fund, the project will fund 27 new PhD studentships in Leicestershire alone, all focused on civically-engaged research, with a total of 77 research projects planned across the area. Selected project proposals will provide community partners with specialized assistance, access to university resources and research training, and membership in an expanding professional network.

Following the formation of the institutions Partnership by the three institutions and five local authorities, this project represents the most recent partnership between Leicester, DMU, and Loughborough. This civic agreement, which was established in 2023, is a pledge made by the universities in Leicestershire as well as the cities and counties of Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland to cooperate for the good of the community and the prosperity of our communities.

Beginning in 2022 as part of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement, the Collaboratory program is an eight-year initiative that has provided students from traditionally non-traditional academic backgrounds with the opportunity to truly impact their communities and make a positive difference.

Examples of projects to date include Boxing in the Community: Moving Beyond the Myths of Sports’ Positive Potentials to Reduce Violence, how trust affects participation in health-promoting activities and how this has changed as a result of the pandemic, and the education-employment transition for youth in former coalfield areas.

Professor Richard Thomas, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise at the University of Leicester, said: “The University of Leicester is delighted to become a partner institution in the Collaboratory project. This initiative will provide a terrific chance for researchers from non-traditional backgrounds to strengthen their academic talents, whilst also enhancing the lives of people in our local community through their research. Therefore, Collab is in line with our strategic commitments to develop the next generation of researchers to become global leaders in their profession and to produce innovative ideas that affect and strengthen the communities in which we operate.

Rebekah Smith McGloin, Nottingham Trent University’s Director of Research Culture and Environment, stated: “No other university has ever done what our Collab program has done, which has been praised as unique. Our ability to expand the scope of our doctoral study to Leicester and Leicestershire is evidence of the program’s effectiveness, and we are eager to explore how we might continue to improve those towns in the future.

As we unite across cities to promote positive change in our communities, Leicester’s universities joining the Collaboratory—a program established through the Universities for Nottingham civic partnership—is a potent testament to the momentum and impact of civic collaboration, according to Professor Paul Grainge, Collaboratory Lead for the University of Nottingham.

De Montfort University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Planning, Research, and Innovation, Professor Mike Kagioglou, stated: “DMU is proud to be a part of this inspiring initiative that puts communities at the heart of research. The program is a powerful way to open up doctoral study to people from all walks of life and ensure that the research happening in our universities is rooted in the real challenges our region faces.”

“We are excited to be working alongside our Midlands partners in shaping a more inclusive future for research and fostering a new generation of impactful research and researchers.” Professor Steve Christie, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Doctoral College at Loughborough University, stated:

“I’m delighted that this exciting regional collaboration is starting. This will allow the Leicestershire Universities to join forces with our Nottinghamshire colleagues to promote research activities that are particularly important to the communities we live in.” “This is about nurturing new voices in research, forging stronger links with our local communities, and ensuring the work we do delivers genuine impact where it matters most.”

This project is significant and well-timed for Loughborough since it closely relates to our strategic topic of “Vibrant and Inclusive Communities.” I’m excited to welcome the new PhD researchers to our Loughborough Doctoral College.

Civic and community organizations in the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland regions are now being invited by the team to consider the difficulties they are facing and to get in contact in order to discuss the possibility of working together to address those concerns through study.

In addition to the advantages of the research, community partners will be able to take use of a number of special opportunities if the project proposal is approved:

Professionals from nearby organizations will form a community of practice network, which community partners will join. The Co(l)laboratory staff provides them with direct assistance in order to exchange best practices and maximize the benefits of the partnership.
A customized set of CPD sessions on research skills will be available to community partners and other colleagues. These courses provide a hands-on introduction to fundamental research skills, ideas, and resources that can be utilized to address a variety of issues that many community-focused organizations are currently facing.

• Additionally, community partners will be granted associate access credentials to partner universities, providing them with direct access to top-notch academic resources, researcher development courses, and more.
  By working with university academics to support and direct a Co(l)laboratory Research project, partners will have the chance to address issues that are pertinent to their organization and the communities they serve.

  The Collaboratory program, the co-creation process of research projects, the workings of research projects, and expectations will all be covered in information webinars that are being hosted for researchers as well as community and civic organizations. You may find more details here.

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