Nottingham’s universities invite input from community organisations for new research projects

Universities for Nottingham Co(l)laboratory programme

The Co(l)laboratory programme, currently in its second year, is a unique collaboration bringing together academia and the community to undertake research projects which support the development of the local economy, increase productivity, drive growth and improve wellbeing.

Existing PhD projects underway include looking at boxing in the community to help reduce violence, celebrating language as intangible cultural heritage, and examining what it takes for young people to be ‘work ready’.

The team is encouraging community organisations to think about problems they are experiencing and to get in touch to explore a potential collaboration to tackle those issues through research.

If the project proposal is chosen, community partners will be able to benefit from a range of unique opportunities, as well as the benefits of the research:

• Community partners will join a growing community of practice network, made of up of professionals from local organisations. They are directly supported by the Co(l)laboratory team to share best practice and to get the most out of the collaboration
• Community partners and wider colleagues will have access to a bespoke series of research skill CPD sessions. These courses offer a practical introduction to core research competencies, concepts and tools that can be applied to solving a wide array of challenges that many community-focused organisations currently face. Community partners will also receive associate access accounts to both partner universities, offering direct to world-class researcher development courses, academic resources and more
• By collaborating with university researchers in supporting and guiding a Co(l)laboratory Research project, partners will have the opportunity to have challenges relevant to the organisation and the communities they work with to be addressed through the research projects

A number of information webinars are being held for both researchers and the community, which will introduce the Co(l)laboratory programme, provide an overview of the research project co-creation process, outline how research projects work, and what the expectations are.

Rebekah Smith McGloin, Director, Research Culture and Environment, Nottingham Trent University, said: “Co(l)laboratory brings together academia and the community in a collaborative way and we’re already seeing how our research projects are having a real impact on the community around us.

“This is a chance for the community to get involved and make a real difference to the lives and the livelihoods of people in Nottingham, and we’re keen to hear from organisations – large or small – whose work has a focus on the local community.

“These partners will have a chance to shape our research projects and will not only benefit from the outcomes but will develop practical research skills with the support of the project team”.

Professor Paul Grainge, University of Nottingham Academic Lead for the Co(l)laboratory Programme, said: “By connecting research with the people, places and policymakers of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Co(l)lab is creating a new space for collaboration and continues to inspire in the diversity of projects it is surfacing and supporting. Tackling challenges and addressing needs in the city region, the Co(l)laboratory is pioneering a new model of community-led research and training the civic leaders of tomorrow.”

Once the research priorities have been defined, project teams will be recruited based on experience in those areas, and research will commence in April 2025.

Co(l)laboratory is part of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement. A collaboration between Nottingham’s two world-class universities and nine key anchor institutions (including the local healthcare trusts, integrated care system, the city and county councils, Vision West Nottinghamshire College and Nottingham College); the agreement sets out partners’ commitment to working across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, for the benefit of our people and place.

The project is funded by Research England as well as both Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham.