This agenda outlines the Institute for Community Studies’ approach to research and evidence generation for the NCIA programme. It shares our process of working with four co-commissioning panels to develop priority research topic areas that explore the conditions required to support universities in making a positive contribution in their place.
Published: December 2025 | Document ID: 482
Published: 2025
This paper connects key findings and recommendations emerging from the Institute for Community Studies’ research on university green spaces with current and potential policy opportunities. It outlines how policymakers and partners could work with universities and other key stakeholders, particularly estates teams, to drive access to and uses of…
Published: 2025
This paper draws on research into civic climate higher education, undertaken by the Institute for Community Studies at The Young Foundation, alongside analysis of current English climate education policy. It aims to outline new opportunities for evidence-informed civic approaches to climate education, building in the flexibility to enable each …
Published: 2025
This report builds on NCIA research to offer evidence-informed recommendations for universities on student-community engagement in their region.
Published: 2025
This synthesis of articles shares our user-centred approach to co-designing dashboards with universities to support their civic activities.
Published: 2025
This research begins the work of mapping university green space in relation to underlying mental health and wellbeing data, and showcasing some of the good work already taking place in universities across the country. It also explores the potential to scale the methodological approach taken to other universities and places across the UK in futu…
Published: 2025
This research explores the question of what sites and practices of meaningful student community engagement look like, particularly from much-needed student and community perspectives. The report presents five case studies which showcase varied examples of student community engagement practices across England, and explores factors that make enga…
Published: 2025
From 2022 to 2025, the Institute for Community Studies at The Young Foundation carried out primary and secondary research in support of the National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) programme. This included exploring, with a range of academic and NCIA partners, how to create practical resources and guidance to help universities use data to under…
Published: 2025
A review of literature and evidence, alongside case study examples, to understand the state of climate education in England.
Published: 2025
A review of evidence on the relationship between green space, health and wellbeing in the context of universities.
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