Systems change

Community research isn’t a fashion, fad, or flash in the pan but an opportunity for meaningful change’

Blog 14 August 2025

Helen Goulden shares five foundations, building support for greater participation.

East London and Essex communities to help shape Thames Freeport 

News 1 August 2025

Collaborative project brings organisations and communities together to create a great place to live and work today, and in decades to come.

Only a third of Brits think the government would support them to recover after a crisis

News 22 July 2025

Following the UK government’s Resilience Action Plan, our latest data explores Brits’ attitudes towards crisis preparedness and response.

Joining up for a sustainable future

News 13 March 2025

Partner organisations host launch of new research centre for Joined Up Sustainability Transformations in the North of England

What does ‘good’ university collaboration look like? 

News 26 February 2025

We are gathering evidence of what’s working when universities in England engage with with students and local communities, or on civic climate education.

‘A movement of hope, a movement of neighbours’

Blog 24 January 2025

When communities feel powerless, apathy breeds. Al Mathers, Leonie Taylor and Jack Layton call for greater resources and time to ensure people can have ongoing, active roles in shaping their homes and neighbourhoods.

‘Research and innovation are about hope and empowerment’

Blog 18 December 2024

At our Community Research Networks Away Days, Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), shared a vision for a more ‘open and inclusive’ future.

£10m project will build stronger communities across the UK

News 10 December 2024

New £10m C4 Centre, led by Sheffield Hallam University, will strengthen community leadership and build connections.

Heritage organisations drive ‘meaningful and sustainable’ change

News 5 December 2024

As our Heritage Innovation Fund partnership moves into its third phase, organisations across the UK continue to innovate creative new ways of working. 

£9m investment will address regional priorities across the UK

News 2 December 2024

Our partnership with UKRI will support nine local networks to ensure research and innovation is ‘by everyone, for everyone, everywhere’.

‘Can mission-driven leadership accelerate social change?’ 

Blog 23 September 2024

As Labour’s Annual Conference unfolds, Mark Griffiths argues that participatory methods will help its ‘missions’ succeed

‘The “wrong kind” of pandemic’

Blog 25 July 2024

Whether facing pandemics, IT outages or other disruptions, Helen Goulden says the UK needs to rethink crisis-planning